Continuation of pay and park scheme favoured

Continuation of pay and park scheme favoured
The Hindu

BANGALORE, MARCH 26. Continuation of pay and park scheme, imposing heavy fines on and strict punishment for traffic rule violators, sensitisation programmes for rash drivers, tightening the process of issuing of driving licenses and flying squads for quick filling up of potholes — these and many other suggestions were made by citizens of Bangalore to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city.

At an open house on "Bangalore traffic — Moving from chaos to order," organised by the Public Affairs Centre and Swabhimana here on Saturday, people put forward their suggestions and questions to the Chairman and members of the Task Force on Traffic.

Display licence

S. Mariswamy, Police Commissioner, said that to check offences by autorickshaw drivers, it would be made mandatory for all auto drivers to have display driving licence from April 1.

Responding to a request that the time-frame to get these licenses be extended, considering that auto drivers will have to pay a fine if they do not get the licence before the stipulated time, Mr. Mariswamy said the department would consider the request. He said that with the Bangalore One kiosks set to be launched on April 1, members of the public could pay fine for traffic violations through these kiosks in any part of the city, instead of going to the traffic police stations or automation centres.

On imposing heavy fines on traffic violators, a proposal to enhance the fine is under the consideration of the Government, he said.

The police department also proposed to increase the number of traffic wardens. The recruitment procedure has already been simplified for the purpose, he said.

Parking

Subhas Chandra, Special Commissioner, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, said since a lot of citizens had suggested that pay and park scheme be continued, the BMP will look into this issue.

Many of the participants raised the issue that many buildings in residential areas were being converted into commercial buildings and this is causing parking problems. Replying to this, he said that matters of zoning regulations had to be addressed by the Bangalore Development Authority. He added that the BMP building bylaws have made it mandatory for all new building constructions to have space for parking.

Driving schools

The Transport Commissioner, Om Prakash, said the department would recommend to driving schools to adhere to certain conditions, so that they are made accountable, and only those who fulfil the conditions of minimum infrastructure and other standards will be allowed to operate. This will check the mushrooming of driving schools, he said.

Registration plates

High security registration plates would shortly be introduced which would eliminate fake license plates. Censors at the entrance of certain roads will help identify vehicles through these plates in case of traffic violations, he said.

Brahm Dutt, Principal Secretary, Home, and Chairman of the task force, said the task force would consider banning of some vehicles in heavy traffic zones during peak hours. He said the members of the task force have been meeting every week and several measures are being taken to regulate traffic, including integration of traffic management with the urban planning needs.

Those who wish to give their complaints or suggestions regarding traffic can contact ph. 22943030/22943131 or e-mail dcptrafficeast@gmail.com

K.V.R. Tagore, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bharat Lal Meena, MD, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and M.F. Pasha, Director (Security and Vigilance), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, were present.