Citizens hit the road to unlock Bangalore

Citizens hit the road to unlock Bangalore
In The Ongoing Zero Tolerance Junction Management Programme, Volunteers Assist The Traffic Police
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: “You can do something instead of just talking about it,’’ felt Sukesh Nayak, a city-based businessman who stood with placards about traffic safety messages at the Police Thimmaiah Circle.
Sukesh was one among several volunteers who joined the Bangalore Traffic Police to bring in a sense of discipline among commuters on Tuesday morning, as part of the Unlock Bangalore initiative.
It started with senior traffic officers, headed by additional commissioner of police (traffic & security) Praveen Sood signing the first pledge form stating that he would not violate traffic rules.
The volunteers, spread out over six vital junctions — Kamaraj Road, K R Circle, Hudson Circle, D’Souza Circle, GPO Circle and South End Circle —greeted law-violating commuters with a smile on their face and message in their hands. They distributed the pledge forms, got it signed and directed them to the nearest gas-filling stations where boxes were kept to receive the forms. Over 20 petrol bunks were also roped in to unlock Bangalore’s traffic.
Earlier, while inaugurating the campaign, Praveen Sood said that the citizens should voluntarily comply with rules as the police will facilitate only the enforcement and education part. “We have our own limitations and it’s difficult to achieve 100% results without the cooperation of citizens. If not, any amount of enforcement will not work,’’ Sood added.
According to Girish, who volunteered at the GPO Circle, the commuters seemed to be amused over a change in the behaviour of policemen, volunteers holding placards and some distributing pledge forms and stickers with trafficsafety messages.
The commuters, who were surprised to receive pledge forms, enquired about the initiative and shared their experiences on the jammed roads. “Many times, we are forced to violate laws because of fellow commuters. Suppose you don’t move until the red light turns green, others repeatedly honk and you’d have no choice but to move before the signal turns green,’’ said Deepali, an HR executive.
Sandeep, who claims to have not violated a single traffic rule in the four years that he’s been driving, said, “The rules are made for our safety. It’s possible to drive smoother and faster without causing inconvenience to fellow motorists.’’
Even the field, traffic police did not fall behind in making motorists ‘behave’ on the roads. “It’s nice to see someone helping us man traffic. If commuters and pedestrians stick to their respective lanes, congestion can be minimized,’’ said Vijay Kumar, a traffic sub-inspector at GPO Circle. This Gandhigiri will continue for one week to unlock Bangalore’s traffic. Volunteers comprising businessmen, doctors, lawyers, engineers and students will help law violators see the folly of their ways.
unlock.bangalore@timesgroup.com

ROADSIDE GANDHIGIRI: A TOI traffic volunteer hands over a pledge form to a motorist in Bangalore on Tuesday.


LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Praveen Sood, addl commissioner of police (traffic & security) launched the Zero Tolerance Programme in Bangalore on Tuesday.