While I do appreciate the recent drive by the traffic authorities at enforcing rules, their letting off the regular violators like the autos, BMTC buses, call centre vehicles, etc, and for much bigger offences, makes them susceptible to charges of partiality, or other forces at play. Do they want to do something about that?
Last Thursday afternoon, around 1 PM, I was headed towards Indiranagar (from Koramangala) along the Intermediate Ring road. With the road almost totally empty at that time of the day, I must have been doing about 70 KMPH. Ahead of me, I noticed what looked like a police vehicle parked to the side. And, even as I approached the vehicle, two cops jumped across my path (rather riskily), and waved me to a stop. The charge was that I was speeding beyond the 60 KMPH limit.
The police vehicle was fitted with a speed gun, and could measure my speed as I approached it. The officer in charge was very polite and showed me the reading. The fine was Rs 300/-, and in a very professional manner, he went about punching in my vehicle registration number and driving license details on to his hand-held device, and within a few seconds, produced the receipt. And, matter over!
Not quite! This is the second time my vehicle registration number, and driving license details have gone into their records (The earlier instance was at the NIMHANS junction, for jumping the signal. I was right behind a BMTC bus, and couldn't see the lights, and followed the bus across the junction. Again, a cop jumped across my path and waved me to a stop, even as the bus was let off - apparently, they are a privileged class. The fine then was just Rs 100/-). The next time I get caught, I fear, my license may be confiscated.
And, I am not the only one in the family to get challanned. My wife has also got challanned twice over the past month, for 'improper parking', paying a fine of Rs 100/- each time.
And, mind you, we both can be classified as conscientious drivers. Whatever, as a result of it all, I have become extra careful now. So much so, yesterday morning around 7 AM, I waited patiently for the green light at the Maharaja junction, even as any number of vehicles were jumping the signal all around me, and a call centre vehicle trapped behind me kept honking.
Now, while I do appreciate this drive by the traffic authorities at enforcing rules, their letting off the regular violators like the autos, BMTC buses, call centre vehicles, etc, and for much bigger offences, makes them susceptible to charges of partiality, or other forces at play. Do they want to do something about that?
Check my earlier comments on the subject at: http://praja.in/bangalore/blog/admin/2008/09/09/next-meeting-with-mr-sood-sep-20-2-pm#comment-8067
Muralidhar Rao
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Comments
Policing
-nJ-
919462900144
www.nitinjhanwar.biz
Caught talking on the cell
Dear Murali sir, my apologies on the fine.
I normally have my hands free when i am driving and this was just my unlucky day I guess. I was speaking on the phone while i passed a traffic constable and his superior officer who was writing the challan for another offender.
I knew it was my mistake and pulled over and rolled down the window. I told the cop "Hey i am very sorry and I know it was my mistake and its the first time blah blah"
He asked me to get my license out and talk to the higher officer. I was aware of this license number business and repeated offenders would have their license canceled!
When i went up to the officer i was able to convince him that its my first offence and he should not make an entry of my license number. I did tell him i am fully aware of the process and i support him doing his job but must let me without the fine.
The officer was smiling, It was my lucky day! there i was walking back to my car without the ticket. I was just so lucky i always thought only pretty girls get away.
I don't say this will work all the time I strongly advise not talking on the phone while driving. If you must, please use a hands free ..
if what you are talking is serious or a long call, and will affect judgment, please pullover and complete the conversation.
Drive save!
--
Praveen Sundaram
AkA PhotoYogi
-- PhotoYogi
Traffic Police on Fire !
Hi All,
Good to see traffic cops making an earnest attempt to impose some traffic rules now. All along, they were the sleepy kind, almost with "Do Not Disturb" signs hung around their necks.
Driving through red signals & trying to push through traffic in the ensuing jam cost a driver dear today at BEML gate. The 'invisible' cop suddenly appeared out of nowhere, with his pen & receipt log in hand & stopped all traffic whilst he collected the fine. Even whilst this was going on, other stopped vehicles were seen trying to slither past !
What a shame. The only medicine for this is to somehow reduce the no. of vehicles & impose very strict discipline, else things will only get worse.
I think violations by public BMTC buses are quite common. However, we must also remember that though they are not above the law, they are to be accorded some priority since they serve the public. Also, our private vehicle on the road adds to the chaos, delaying those that are using public transport.
I have a wide grin on my face...
Over worked Police?
There was an old Tata Sumo vehicle with Gujarat Registration parked in front of my house for more than 2 months, for which I lodged a complaint with JB Nagar Police here. They were reluctant to confiscate the vehicle, even after my bringing to their notice the vehicle registration not being changed for a long period of 2 years. However they contacted the owner and got the vehicle removed, by the owner himself.
I have a feeling the Police tend to take the path of least resistance.
follow-up required
I feel what I am going to comment upon is going to be relevant to this challaning business.
Recently I found a challan stuck on my windshield somewhere in Vasant Nagara. This had happened while I had gone into some nearby office to finish an errand, and in the meanwhile my car was parked below a tree with rather strangely spread branches, casting shadows on the road.
While these trees had brought the much required cool shade for my car, they'd also blocked the sight of a "No Parking" sign that had been put up on the adjacent foot-path. Now my sincere claim was that the signboard was totally invisible from the direction that I came in on that road, and as a driver, I am not going to be on the look out for such boards. I just find a convenient place to park, and then park my car there. More so, if you found some other cars lined up in the vicinity.
When I approached the Police with this reasoning, as expected, they didnt understand this logic of a signboard being invisible behind a tree! My plea here is that while the traffic department puts in efforts to find vehicles parked in these no parking spots, they should also patrol such "invisible" signboards and ensure they actually serve their original purpose - one of conveying information, and not instead of trapping people!! Placement and angling of signboards may not be rocket science, but science it is nevertheless - something that our police dept. needs to realise the importance of.
Fine: Rs. 100/- + an Hour spent finding the police station where I'd to pay this!!!
-Nijavaada
Better Markings.
W.r.t Praking and Nijavaada's episode, I totally, feel that we should have better more innovative signage systems.
For Parking, let us do away with No Parking boards, and instead paint lines along roads, as done in UK and other places. This way, its clear, and there is no confusion/hunting for a sign. Recently, I think a grant of around 40 Crore (not sure abt the figure) was released for sign boards.
I have seen a lot of new signs been put up. But many are either and a dilapidated angle, unclear or a mere replacement of a old sign, in the same invisibe position.
I also belive the signs themselves, must be re-designed. They are presently sometimes confusing and take longer than expected to decipher.
For Example, the one way sign below. It takes longer to decide which way the one way is - as opposed to my solution where it is clear. In the existing solution, it takes longer to find out which arrow is above the red line and which is below!
In this other example, the text "No Free Left Turn" is so small and invisible that one can easily mistake it for a "No Left Turn." Again, a simple re-design can make it a lot easier.
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
Grinning even more...
An Inconvenient Truth !
Let's face it - Cops cannot be everywhere, every time. The vehicle population is exploding & parking is hard to find. Public transport, in it's present form is detested by those that can afford vehicles, with some justice as the quality is low, & inconvenient.
Signages are essential, but our polity has shown contempt for these & they do not really care, including parking at bus stops & in well marked 'No Parking' streets.
Whilst the present drive against road violations is commendable, can it be sustained ? If so, for how much longer ?
So, what do we do ?
The answer is not too difficult, provided the authorities do not flinch, however unpopular the move may be & no matter how many objections they receive.
Rope in the private parties - divide the city's areas into various types depending on their importance, & call for tenders for parking in all streets & public parking areas that can accommodate parking (every single street, barring purely residential areas). Fix a charging scale with accurate marking of all areas & streets. The more commercially important the area is, the higher the parking fee should be - this is how it is done in the rest of the world.
If people want to go about in private vehicles, they should also be ready to shell out for parking fees just about every nook & corner. The private contractors will do more than half the job of the traffic police, for sure !
The hard truth is, whilst we crib about unruly road behavior by others, we end up doing the same as some of the examples above suggest & expect "authorities" to "tackle" the situation. The authorities cannot be omni-present, they need help, they need co-operation. Expecting them to enforce laws with a selfish, poorly mannered populace such as ours is expecting too much.
Sounds bad, but can't complain
As long as your experience was pleasant (as in quick, just and without him explicitly asking for a bribe), its not fair to complain. They are definitely on a drive against private cars (Mr Sood had said this'd happen). Murali, I saw 3-4 cars being ticketed on IRR behind a speed patrol car on Friday evening as well just after we met. Thanks for alerting me, I was doing 50 kmph, not the usual 60-70 that we all do on IRR.
But if stay on this drive forever (say more than a month), and not extend this to BMTC buses and autos and (the worst of them) the call center cabs, we would then have to raise a complaint. Incidentally, I don't recall the "stand and deliver" gang of policemen ever stop a yellow plate car or SUV. I asked a cop once on what his reason his. He said that them being commercial vehicles, they usually have their papers in order, so why waste time with them.
As Naveen says above, we are all bad drivers, almost each one of us.. I too am, 80% of the time by the rules, 20% of the time unruly. If get caught during the unruly speel, my bad luck.
But, Murali, it will be worthwhile to ask for information (email to Mr Sood, if no answer, then RTI), for stats on types of vehicles they fine per month - how many autos vs private cars, vs two wheelers, vs buses). Analyzing that data over last 5-6 months would give us some facts to write and point out some real criticism.
(I am not sure they capture the type of vehicle to this detail, perhaps only broadly as two, three, four or more wheelers - no of axles)
Not bad; and, I'm not complaining
I'm not complaining about their catching me. But, I'm complaining about their laises-fares attitude towards blatant and far more serious violations by autos, BMTC buses, and yellow-board (call-centre) vehicles, which you see all around you, day in and day out. The papers being in order is not at all good enough.
Driving at 70 Km on an empty road is at worst a technical violation. Yes, it's a violation, and I can't be cribbing about when they catch me. But, such drives, apart from adding to the kitty, do not contribute much to the management of traffic in the city. As such, it appears to be more a revenue oriented effort than a traffic management effort.
Naveen - I don't buy this argument that BMTC buses being public transport vehicles, they should be allowed the privilege of violating traffic rules. Enforcement of traffic discipline has to be uniform for all kinds and classes of vehicles. The BMTC can be accorded many other privileges; but, when it comes to traffic discipline, if you are going to be lax with them, then you are essentially emasculating the powers of the police to bring about order, assuming that's the ultimate purpose.
The police is apparently letting this lot get away because of their union clout. Like SB has stated, if the police does not start targeting them also in the near future, we will perhaps have to form our own union to demand that.
And, I agree totally with your suggestion of outsourcing much of the traffic policing work to private contractors, under strict supervision of the officers. In fact, if I am not too wrong, the Soli Sorabjee committee (on police reforms) has indeed recommended outsourcing in a large way in areas other crime investigation.
Also, as you have very rightly pointed out, the ultimate answer is everybody switching to the use of public bus transport services. And, that's again where I come in with my view that it can happen only with good old T V Sundaram Iyengar & Sons (and now, grandsons) being facilitated to re-enter the business. Check http://www.praja.in/blog/murali772/2007/12/12/better-bussing-green-bangalore
IDS - You may grin wide now for all you are worth sitting in Stockholm, or wherever you are. Let's see how you escape Mr Sood's men when you land back in namma Bengaluru :))).
Psaram, Sir - I don't think you got me right. I fully support this drive on the part of the traffic police. Only, they need to be uniform in applying rules.
Muralidhar Rao
Priority for Public Transport
Mr.Murali,
I mentioned that public transport buses must be accorded priority; they are of course not exempt from following rules or cannot get away with violations.
Buses have for long been reduced to 3rd grade road users, & are fighting a losing battle with cars & 2-wheelers. The flight of users from buses to 2-wheelers & cars continues unabated, which continues to worsen the position for them on the street. This can only be overcome by according them some priority, such as bus exclusive lanes where possible or free passage through signals, but this is easier said than done since the lanes usually remain clogged with traffic.
Bellary Road much improved + law makers are law breakers
Murali sir,
You should feel happy that they are finally acting.
I came back from a trip last night that took me to Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Flight was delayed from Delhi due to smog and traffic congestion. On the way back (at 10:30 p.m) saw that almost every car stopped at the red lights on NH-7. Also saw red light cameras being installed at the Chikkajala signal.The only offenders were a government car (an Innova bearing the registration number KA 02/03 - GA 189 (or 169) and two accompanying Gypsys - Ka02G478 and Ka02G2369. They jumped lights quite casually. So our law makers and guardians don't think twice about breaking laws! However they drove well within the speed limit!!!! The other big offenders on this stretch are the BMTC Vayu Vajras.
My wife was recently pulled up by a constable when she drove through a red as she could not stop in the middle of the road (the orange is not long enough to cross the road sometimes). The conversation went something like this (original in Kannada)
Wife - "Sorry about that sir, I could not stop in time"
Constable - "I will have to fine you Rs. 500 for jumping the light and rash driving"
W - "Okay sir - I will pay"
C- "I can let you off for Rs.300 - but no receipt"
W - "Sir, I don't do such things"
C - "Then I have no choice"
W - "Okay - please give me a receipt"
C - "I would like to give you Rs.200 challan - but there is no offence with that rate"
W - "No problem. I will pay the Rs.500 fine - but I need a receipt"
C - (fed up) - "Okay please go this time, I will let you off with a warning".
W - "Thank you".
Srivathsa
Drive safe. It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.
The above example is what we ALL should follow
Well said Vinay
Most of us (mid.upper middle class) have these double standards. Can list plenty of examples besides this one.
It so happened that I got stopped twice yesterday and once today (CV Raman Nagar, Madivala police station, Agara junction on ORR) while driving my car. May be someone read my 70 kmph admission in a comment above. But each time I was polite, explained my case (my offence - missing emission certificate, which I really thought I don't need as my car is BS III compliant non-polluting vehicle). All three times, I was let off with a warning, minimal harassment.
At times, we overplay this 'cops harass, they always ask for bribe' thing.
Personally, I feel good and safe seeing so many active cops on the roads. But yes, they got to move beyond "stand and stop vehicles mode", and must start going after reckless yellow plate club members as well. Its time.
Another approach to end violations
We know that most offenders are not smitten by the rs.100 or rs.200 or at most, rs.300 fines since income levels are far higher now & the fines are, shall we say much more "affordable".
Why should'nt we have fines like rs.500, rs.1000 & rs.2000 ? This will keep much better control on the no. of violations as people would have some fear, & try harder not to violate. It will also encourage cops to look for more offenders since their chances of "extraction" become better.
Of course, there will be a strong temptation to bribe & get away, too, but overall, it may be more effective in instilling better discipline amongst drivers.
question before Mr Sood
I think the current levels of fines are good enough deterrents. If at all fine levels are to be raised, they should be raised for offences like drunken driving, and not for technical offences like 'invalid emmission certificate', etc.
And, this 'emission certificate' thing is a total hoax, as everyone knows. I don't understand why an otherwise pro-active AdCP, like Mr Sood, cannot bother to dismantle this harassment mechanism, even as autos, and quite a few government vehicles, including those belonging to police, keep belching out clouds of smoke all over the city.
And, as I have stated before, the big question before Mr Sood is when is he going to be bringing the 'road aristocracy' - autos, BMTC buses, and government vehicles to book? Sreevatsa has displayed in public the registration number of the government vehicles that jumped the signals on the (new) airport road. I would now expect Mr Sood to come on to PRAJA and inform the public of the action proposed against the offenders.
Yes, our expectations are higher now. Can we hope for reciprocal responses from the authorities?
Muralidhar Rao
What Can I Do?
Everyday I see millions of riders/driver break the law. ' I would like Mr.Sood to develop a process where citizens can do a certain amount of policing. Awareness campaigns and spreading the word has proved completelt useless. It isn't that people are unware of the law, they just know the can get away with it.
Right now, I can either, pick up a fight (and considering my size get beaten quite easily) or I can ignore! The question of reasoning out with the offender is not going to work. I cannot sit and explain to him the problem with civic sense. Even if I had the time, not one road user would listen!
This goes back to our earlier idea of involing photography. So I can take a photograph of the offender, and then somehow send it to the police who can then asses and fine him as required. Howvere, we realised that photography can be digital modified leading to corruption. I am sure, with some more use of technology we can combat it.
Lets face it - The police is understaffed and cannot handle it. Today, I was at command Hospital junction - and there was a bus stuck a few meters away from the junction. The policeman manning the junction, couldn't leave the junction for 3 mins, to investigate the problem. If he did, riders were waiting to jump the signal!
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
Till the police begin cracking down on cab drivers and autos..
Don't lose your cool
Vinay,
My sincere advice to you is not to get into any altercation with anyone on the road. You might end up paying for it with your life. I know is it is very annoying to see people jump red lights (essentially telling you that you are an idiot for waiting in line and obeying rules) , but such people don't see reason very well. If they are suicidal let them be. People are on a short fuse and don't take to any sermon kindly.
Srivathsa
Drive safe. It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.
traffic marshalls
Narayan
The answer perhaps lies in the "traffic marshalls" programme that I had once earlier detailed at http://praja.in/en/discuss/forums/2008/07/traffic-chaos-and-reforms-analysis-and-way-forward#comment-6449.
It is totally different from the current 'traffic warden' programme, which, in my opinion, serves a very limited purpose, if any at all.
I had intended to bring it up in the meet with Mr Sood. But, since I could not make it to the last meeting, it could not be pursued. May be next time.
Muralidhar Rao
caution please!
And Vinay
Those tactics can be dangerous. I once got terribly irritated by the continuous honkings of a car behind me. I turned round to give the driver a dirty look, and promptly went and crashed into an auto in front of me, which went and crashed into the side of a Qualis ahead of it. I landed up settling with both for close to Rs 15K, apart from some 4 hrs of peak working time wasted.
Muralidhar Rao
road rage...
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
Traffic Marshals
Muralisir, What you have been campaigning for is what I have been suggesting too on the sidelines.
The only bit where I deferred was that I said, that these wardens must be equipped with Digital Cameras. This way they can document any offence, like illegal parking and encroachments. Then there will be incriminating evidence. This is actually a working model in the United Kingdom.
But, when I met Mr Sood, at TOI's Unlock Bangalore he was on a different note. He felt, that a viral network of logistical explanations about road discipline starting with friends would solve the problem. that was a scary suggestions. Firstly I am not a good speaker/preacher and secondly my freinds dont want to hear me preach!
The biggest reason, I re-iterate is that People break the law not because they are unaware of it, but because they know they can get away with it.
[ why do all my lines breaks go for a six when i type in the standard editor?.It becomes one BIG para!]
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
Regarding road rage
submit a petition?
If there's a consensus on the idea of the 'traffic marshalls' programme, can we submit a petition to Mr Sood requesting for implementation?
Muralidhar Rao
I Support it!
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
ways to go..
Quite sincerely I see a good set of opinions being built in this particular thread recently..
Was just thinking of the emission certificate (EC) thing - something that I have earlier been held for sometime ago - and lo! there were some comments on that as well. But none was talking about a solution to this.
I think an emission check could be done by a mobile, and perhaps a hand-held unit. And the cops on this "catching" duty could as well carry this along. May be along with them on those speed-camera vehicles. Why out-source the emission certifying activity to people who can easily convert this checking into a business and certify bad vehicles at an addnl "fee"!! We need to suggest Mr. Sood that his dept. should (search for sellers, and) buy these mobile/hand-held emission checkers, and save people from the harassment. And he also needs to ensure that his laws are in compliance with latest technological trends and all.. I wonder if his cops will expect an EC from a Reva too just because the rule doesnt have predications about the vehicle type!!!
It really hurts to see a smoking taxi whizz past me when I am standing in front of this cop paying up for a missing emission certificate!!! Stop-Check-Validate-Fine should be the way to go..
-Nijavaada
murali and his challan
Classic example
just escaped!
Guess what? Yesterday, driving past the Corporation Circle, on to Kasturba Road (heading towards UB/ KF junction), I was waved to a stop by the speed interceptor team, midway down the road for exceeding the speed limit. I was told I had touched 64 kmph, whereas the speed limit, across the city, is supposedly 40 kmph. They tolerate upto 60 kmph, and if you exceed that, they will take action. However, since I had exceeded only by 4 kmph beyond the tolerance limit, they let me off after cautioning.
Many questions arise from this:
1) Many other vehicles were stopped; but, none from the aristocracy - yellow board one, auto, or a govt vehicle; giving deeper credence to the rumour that there's a monthly pay-off.
2) Should police resources be wasted this way when there are far more important things to do? After all, on how many stretches can you speed in the city? The real problem if at all are the 'drag races' indulged in by the likes Nikhil Gowda during after hours. That's where the concentration should be!
3) Enforcement can be effective only when they go after offenders, enough of whom we see day in and day out, and for which, the police have supposedly been given their vehicles. Instead, they just continue standing and enforcing, using all kinds of gadgetry, the emphasis being more on revenue generation than on traffic control.
All in all, quite disappointing, even with having supposedly the right kind of people at the top. Check:
http://bangalore.praja.in/blog/silkboard/2008/11/22/entropy-example-kilometer-long-jam-no-real-reason#comment-9698
After the Mumbai terror attack, the public anger with government agencies is not just confined to security issues, but to each of the components that form the whole system. When will the officials involved wake up to this?
Muralidhar Rao
deleted
aristocracy still getting away
Saturday morning, at around 7.15, I had to wait for close to 2 minutes at the Sony World junction (Koramangala) for the light to turn green (On a week day, it takes much longer - sometimes even upto 3 light change cycles).
I am listing below the approximate number of different types of vehicles that came by, and, alongside in brackets, the %age that jumped the lights: BMTC buses - 6 (100%); auto's - 10 (100%); 2-wheelers - 15 (50%); yellow board vehicles - 5 (90%); private cars - 10 (10%).
Well, apparently, the drive by the traffic police is beginning to have its impact on private car drivers and 2-wheelers. But, simultaneously, it reinforces the point I have been making about the road aristocracy.
When I met Mr Sood recently, he averred that that was a mis-perception, and his fine records indicate that there's no bias. Any one knows where to access the records, or does that have to be another RTI exercise?
Muralidhar Rao
are Bangalore traffic challans foolproof?
Hello Murali, Here is my experience with Bangalore Automation Centre. I am still waiting for the response. I wonder how legal is their move to suspend licences when they are just fining an owner?
In the interest of justice and fair play, only fatal accidents or DUI where the driver is caught and convicted should be taken into consideration is it not?
What is the point of convicting the owner of the vehicle for a parking or even a traffic violation? Afterall the vehicle is an inanimate object in the hands of the driver who is not caught.
There does not appear to be any legal ground for penalizing the owner for drivers mistakes.
This penalize anyone available appears to be the government's mantra for its inabilities, be it traffic , building, fire, or civil accidents.
Here is a letter I wrote them.
complaint of a different kind
Posted on 'savekoramangala' y-group by VM:
Last week I got a ticket for wrong parking. The ticket was one my windshield when I came out of Koshy's. I went home, went online to Bangalore one and paid my fine by credit card and got an immediate receipt and acknowledgment. The only thing I have kind of against this was that the fine was just Rs 100. Does not really become a deterrent?
But, no arguing with cops, bribes or waiting in long queues. I did it online; but, I am sure that the Bangalore One kiosks would handle the same in non-cyber world too.
not disappointed
Over the past month, my wife has managed to get two notices for payment of fines of Rs 100/- each, one apparently for stopping across the zebra cross at a traffic junction, and the other for talking on phone while driving - no contest at all. So, on her behalf, and based on my good friend, VM's experience, I tried to make the payment through the net. After some three unsuccessful attempts, over three different days, I finally tried calling the 'helpline' on 25588444/ 555 today at around 4.45PM - no response. I suppose I'll have to now find a Bangalore One to make the payment.
I am not totally disappointed, since this is what one has come to expect from government departments. Technology can only provide the tools; it cannot change people's outlook.
You can pay fine at any traffic police station
Long back I was caught driving without fastening my seat belt. The officer who issued the Chelan was really apologetic as a awareness drive was on. I was really touched and agreed with the officer and thanked him for the Chelan. I had no problem to pay the fine at Jeevan bima nagar traffic police station. I got instantaneous computer printed receipt from the clerk at the JB Nagar police station.
I for one not go to Bangalore one or two.
gimmickry
@Psaram
Adu gottu, Sir! The question is why isn't the on-line facilty working, and for over a week? The point I am making is that the government and its agencies are largely interested only in gimmickry, and not in solving problems.
And, why did you make the cop apologetic about challaning you for not fastening your seat-belt? He was only doing his duty.
That his service will be far more useful to city if he is asked to concentrate on the more pressing issues is of course another matter, altogether.
experts' meet
In early April, I was invited by DNA to join a discussion on the city traffic issues. Present in the group amongst others were Mr Sood, Prof Sreehari, and Dr Ashwin Mahesh. The usual suggestion of better public transport came up, whereupon I put forth my standard line on BMTC monopoly being the single biggest problem, to which the experts came up with their standard response of that being in the politicians' domain. And, with no politician having been invited, the buck got merrily passed on.
Later, I raised the subject of 'Traffic Marshals' with Mr Sood. He responded saying that he had seen my post on PRAJA in the matter, but that all that I had listed there can as well be carried out through the existing 'Traffic Warden' programme, with or without wearing a uniform. But, subsequently, when I checked with the Dy Cheif Traffic Warden, Mr M T Naik (former DCP Traffic), he was categoric that wearing of uniform was a necessary pre-requisite to functioning as a Traffic Warden. I informed Mr Sood accordingly, over a mail, adding that the scope of the work envisaged under the Marshals programme went far beyond that of the uniform-wearing Warden, and left it at that.
IMHO
Murali Sir,
I am unable to figure out the connection between “I got challanned” blog entry and this experts meet comment. This expert’s meet must be an important one and disserves to be covered under a separate blog entry.
A detailed report would be great from Praja point of view. Was this meeting covered by any reporters? I wonder. If so a link to that also would have been welcome.
The project Idea is also excellent. Thanks to Praja team to have implemented it. If you thought that “I got challaned” can hold all this is as a project it is a different issue.