All roads lead to space jam

All roads lead to space jam
Times of India

Mile-long traffic jam. Peak-hour woes. Add to it 600 new vehicles that enter city roads every day. What ails the city traffic? TOIaj speaks to additional commissioner of police (Traffic and Security) Chandrashekara.


Traffic jams are a perennial problem. So are bottlenecks. Comment.
The main problem areas are around the ongoing flyovers and grade separators. These have created artificial bottlenecks. Work is progressing at a snail’s pace at Dairy Circle, Lingarajpuram, Koramangala-Airport Ring Road, National College junction, Modi junction, Rajajinagar entrance and Hosur Road. A complete picture emerges only after the works are completed.
City roads can’t be expanded further. With 600 vehicles added to the roads every day, how will you tackle the situation?

One-ways are a temporary solution. Infrastructure needs should be looked into. The police are strictly for traffic management. Vehicles are increasing by the day and many roads are operating at saturation levels. Though flyovers and grade separators can contain the present situation, a mass transportation system is the only answer.

The force has gadgets like simputers and laser speed guns but not enough personnel. Moreover, frequent VIP visits require more personnel. Any solutions?
There is a need for more manpower. Personnel are required to operate modern gadgets as well as for regulation and enforcement among other essential duties. While Chennai has 4,000 traffic personnel, Bangalore City has 1,500, 200 less than the sanctioned strength. Presently, we’re managing with help of NGOs. We are also assisted by personnel from the Home Guards in addition to Traffic Wardens.

How responsible are Bangalore’s road users? Will awareness programmes help improve the situation?
Logically, all motorists should be aware of rules after they get their driving licence. There is no need for making them aware of these rules. However, they lack the will to follow rules and too often overlook regulation. If motorists are more responsible, it will help better the situation.
Can’t enforcement be made stricter?

We use a great amount of discretion when it comes to enforcement. Booking violators has increased over the last few months. In fact, the government has approved an earlier proposal to enhance fine amount. Violators are being booked, and this acts as a deterrent for a second violation. However, violation continues. All traffic personnel have been empowered to take note of violations and inform the automation centre from where notices are sent to the offenders.

In the DOCK

Name: Chandrashekara
Designation: ACP (Traffic and Security)
Age: 57
Qualification: Science graduate, Mysore University

A native of Mysore district, Chandrashekara joined the service in 1970 as a deputy superintendent of police. He became an IPS officer in 1978. Since then, he has served in various capacities in Channapatna, Belgaum, Mysore and Mangalore, among other places. He has worked in the Intelligence, Corps of Detectives, grievances cell at the police headquarters, forest cell, Karnataka Electricity Board (later rechristened KPTCL), Lok Ayukta and Railways.

Since March this year, he has been posted as the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security) in the Bangalore Commissionerate. He oversees various issues handled by the traffic police which includes management, regulation and enforcement.

VERDICT ACQUITTED

P.G. Harlankar, former city police commissioner and D-G of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Traffic engineering does not fall within the purview of the police. It is the responsibility of the planning and civic authorities. Given the shortage of staff and the work conditions, the city traffic police are doing a good job. However, this shortage of manpower, which affects regulation, is also a reason for traffic jams.

Often, it is the educated lot which violates rules. There should be strict enforcement to check violation. Police can take up sustained drives and fine offenders on the spot, to deter them from committing the offence a second time. However, traffic jams are not restricted only to pockets where construction is being taken up. Even after its completion, the situation of traffic jams is not going to materially change, except for some roads where traffic will move faster.

Many roads in the city, being narrow, are further clogged due to parking. Better planning of roads and infrastructure along with an efficient traffic police force can improve the present situation.