Karnataka: Belagavi deputy commissioner seeks strict traffic vigil

BELAGAVI: The deputy commissioner has resorted to imposing strict traffic rules after an increasing number of accidents and deaths in the past couple of months in the city and the district.
Deputy commissioner Nitesh Patil said the increase in accidents, despite having better roads, was not a good sign. Hence, there was a need for the strict imposition of traffic rules and awareness about the rules.
Patil has approved reconstituting the district road safety committee under his chairmanship. The superintendent engineer of the public works department would be the secretary of the committee, while district-level officers of the various departments will be members.
The DC has strictly instructed regional transport officers (RTO) for regular inspection of vehicles in traffic-heavy areas and action against those violating traffic rules. He specifically mentioned initiating action against vehicles carrying passengers over the stipulated capacity.
During the meeting of the district road safety committee held on Friday, Patil instructed officers to keep an eye on the school buses and autos, besides vehicles carrying workers and cancel their permits if they violated traffic rules.
He also wanted vehicle inspection as a campaign and details of action taken during every meeting. He also said plaques must be placed to raise awareness about traffic rules.
During the meeting, he also took down information about vehicle parking-related issues in the city and instructed the city corporation officers to permit private parking spaces under the rules. The DC also asked educational and other private institutions to provide parking facilities on their premises. He asked the officers to take action if vehicles are parked on the road.