Young and dynamic IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute has launched several initiatives to improve the traffic scenario in the city under the guidance of Commissioner of Police Dr K Venkatesham in the past three months. Satpute interacted with Sakal Times editorial staff and explained various traffic issues the city faces and future plans to address them.
What are your observations about traffic in Pune?
Recent surveys have shown that Pune is one of the most congested cities, especially the Peth areas (the old city area). The roads there are narrow and cannot be widened further, though the vehicle population has increased manifold. There are heritage structures also, which cannot be disturbed. There is a need to use more public transport, which should be strengthened first. Also, people should walk on footpaths and use cycles. Again, we should first create infrastructure and then expect people to change their habits regarding traffic rules.
At present, work is in progress at 53 places related to the metro, overbridges, repairs, widening etc, which slows down the traffic flow. But these things are being done to improve the transport system. We have to bear inconveniences for at least one-and-a-half years more.
Education (awareness), engineering (infrastructure) and enforcement (of traffic rules) are vital in resolving traffic-related issues.
What constraints do the police face in enforcing traffic rules?
Awareness and self-discipline among citizens is less. There are 1,350 chowks but the total strength of the traffic branch personnel is about 1,100, of these around 750 are actually on the road every day. Some have weekly-offs and some are on leave. Some of the major chowks require 4-6 cops for better management of traffic.
How do you motivate the force despite the manpower shortage?
In the last three months, we have taken several initiatives like emotional intelligence training, besides lessons for them on financial and stress management. Also, all officers, including myself, are standing at chowks to manage traffic, which has positively affected our staffs. I am also encouraging them to participate in various marathon events. I myself run too.
After the introduction of e-challan for traffic violations caught on CCTV cameras, many violators don’t pay the fines. What steps is the department taking to recover fines?
Every 15 days, we are compiling the list of top 100 violators and policemen are visiting their homes to recover the fine. In the first such list, one person had violated rules 32 times, which was the highest, the lowest was eight violations. People should realise the online challan remains until the payment is made online. In all such cases, photo evidence is there. So, even if somebody does not pay now, they will have to pay, if the traffic police stop and check the vehicle next time.
As you mentioned, awareness is the key to bring traffic discipline. What initiatives are you taking in this regard?
We are interacting with educational institutions, companies, government departments, where we get to interact more people at a time and tell them about the advantages of following traffic rules. We have conducted trials, wherein it was seen that a person following all rules and other breaking rules, reach the destination almost at the same time. Similarly, a person honking unnecessarily and another going peacefully also reach their destination almost at the same time. People should understand that being in a hurry won’t help them reach their destination early. We have also held meetings with hospitals and marriage lawn owners and have asked them to make sure that their visitors park vehicles inside their premises. They should deploy wardens for traffic management at their premises.
What is your take on the compulsory helmet rule?
We will enforce all traffic rules and not just the helmet rule. People should use helmets as statistics show that out of 125 riders, including 33 pillion riders, killed in accidents this year, only two were wearing helmets. Our aim is to save people’s lives. We are writing to heads of all government departments, companies, educational institutes, asking them to make their staff and students aware of the advantages of using helmets. This way, we will first reach out to a maximum number of people and then strictly enforce the helmet rule. The Road Safety Patrol team (RSP) in schools is also being increased and our staff is interacting with schoolchildren. We are trying to instill traffic discipline when they are young so that they will pass on the message as they grow. We are also telling parents not to gift vehicles to their wards till they turn 18 years old.
(Compiled by Mubarak Ansari)