Young cops mind traffic

Young cops mind traffic

Fed up of traffic snarls and an apathetic system, a group of people seek the help of students to take on the role of traffic cops.

Deccan Herald

That service to society is not an act exclusively reserved for those with clout, has been made loud and clear by a team of four ordinary individuals. Vijayalakshmi Ganapathy, headmistress, primary section, Kishore Kendra School and Malleswaram residents, Shakuntala Shankar Rao, Anand Sirur and R Subramaniam, have taken up an initiative that is indeed praiseworthy.

The narrow 10th Main Road, Malleswaram, in front of Kishore Kendra school, was subject to many a problem like traffic jams due to two-way traffic, reckless driving and haphazard parking.

A couple of months ago, the team decided to reduce traffic on the road in a unique manner. “We witnessed chaotic traffic conditions on the road. And when we saw children getting affected by it, we decided to protect them,” says Anand. The team members approached the traffic authorities. “They put a barricade in the corner, signalling that the road would be a one-way for part of the day. But people conveniently ignored the sign,” says Shakuntala. “A constable stood on the road, directing traffic. But only temporarily,” she adds.

They then decided to empower young able hands with the conviction that they would never shirk the duty entrusted to them. “We approached Prahalad Rao, principal, Kishore Kendra and MES Junior College, and he permitted three scouts from the school to position themselves on the road for an hour on school days, and regulate the traffic,” says Vijayalakshmi.

Prahalad Rao says he encouraged the students “to create civic awareness in them.” Bhanupratap of Class VII, Supreet and Ashish of Class IX were the brave little soldiers chosen to perform the feat. The children started work in September this year. It has been successful two months since. “I am happy performing service to the public,” says Ashish.

Between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, the 10th Main Road becomes a one-way street, and throughout the day, there is orderly parking of two wheelers on just one side of the road. “Traffic jams have been curbed by up to 80 per cent,” smiles Subramaniam. However, there have also been a few hurdles. Many people bully the children for lack of traffic signages. They are rude to them and don’t listen to them. Ashish says he remains “unaffected by the indifferent attitude shown by some.” The children have been asked to note down the vehicle numbers of such people who are later reported to the traffic authorities. “We would like to extend this traffic regulation to other roads such as 13th Cross, 17th Cross and 18th Cross,” says Anand.