While taking strong action against four-wheeler and three-wheeler drivers in the suburbs of Mumbai, city traffic police registered more than 10,000 cases against those deliberately violating traffic norms. The move comes after growing agitation of locals complaining that illegal parking of cars and auto-rickshaws has narrowed down space for routine transport. Locals complained that illegal parking creates problems in commuting to railway stations.
The traffic police, keeping in mind the daily congestion on the Western Express Highway (WEH), has taken this bold and stern step. The move has affected rickshaw drivers the most, who are said to be repeat and regular offenders.
According to the traffic police officials, the step was taken after a detailed survey. Sensitive areas having traffic issues were informed through awareness programmes. “This move is a series of actions taken by the police under the instructions of the joint commissioner of police, traffic. The construction of metro stations along the Link Road and the WEH have added to the disturbances people face in the course of their daily commute. The issue becomes worse during peak hours when the WEH is packed with vehicles and private cabs headed to city’s south in the morning and north in the evening,” said a senior traffic police officer.
During the first week of September, traffic police stations of Bandra, Santacruz, D N Nagar, Malad, Kandivali and Borivali worked with the help of local policemen. After their actions, the traffic police claims to have cleared more than 10-20 per cent of the traffic which gives extra 10 minutes to each commuter to travel free without any traffic hindrance. During the operation, the police towed vehicles parked at no-parking zones, took action against licenses of defaulters and collected fines for violation.
Each day during the drive, more than 1,500 cases were registered, most offenders being rickshaw drivers.
“Metro tunnel construction sites for 2, 2-A, 2-B and 7 were centres of bottleneck while travelling. These have been made free to some extent now,” the officer added.
GOOD RIDDANCE
During the operation, cops towed vehicles parked at no-parking zones, took action against defaulters & collected fines. Each day during, more than 1,500 cases were registered
