Traffic chaos and protests nudge Pune cops into action

PUNE: The police and the civic body have finally heeded the rising complaints of traffic congestion on roads across the city and have decided to take action.
Joint commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik has directed deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Rahul Shrirame to personally monitor the activity of personnel regulating vehicular movement till 10pm, instead of 9.30pm. He has also directed each police station to deploy five constables and a sub-inspector to assist the traffic branch in managing the flow.
Additional deployment is also being made from the Shivajinagar police headquarters for the drive, which started from Tuesday. The policemen have been told to fully focus on regulating traffic instead of collecting fines.
On its part, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will suggest infrastructure work that can help reduce traffic jams. It will help the traffic police install boards and signages to regulate the movement of heavy vehicles.
Police begin action after protests
The rain due to the extended monsoon, particularly during the peak evening hours, and water-logging, besides the rush of Diwali shoppers and ongoing infrastructure work, have contributed to the poor traffic situation. Karnik told TOI, "We have instructed the traffic police to be on roads in full strength to avert jams. Policemen will regulate traffic till 10pm, or until traffic is normalised in the night hours. The policemen will have to be on the road till the Diwali festival."
The city traffic police department has 934 personnel. "The zonal deputy commissioners of police will also have to chip in to regulate traffic, if required," Karnik said.
Karnik has asked the traffic police to take action against vehicles violating the no-parking norms or resorting to double parking. "We will tow away all such vehicles, especially in and around the shopping areas."
PMC has urged the traffic police to ban heavy vehicles on roads where they are now allowed. It has also told the traffic police to take action against autorickshaws and buses halting on the road and obstructing traffic. Sachin Ithape, deputy commissioner at the PMC's general administration department, said, "The administration will extend help to the traffic police to install boards and signages that will help regulate the movement of heavy vehicles and compel buses and autorickshaws to halt only at designated spots."