Do you know what it means when life comes to a standstill? A rainy day in Bangalore City will give you the answer. Apart from water clogged roads, power cuts, traffic congestions, delayed public transport, there’s one reason that tops them — the City’s infamous auto drivers who choose to withdraw from their 'irreproachable services'. But for the problems they create, people point all fingers at the traffic police.
So are the traffic police responsible for chaotic traffic and nearly dysfunctional autorickshaws? Somehow it seems like their easy accessibility to people has led people to believe that the City's law enforcers are answerable to every individual's grievance.
"Unfortunately that's what people have come to believe. The pre-paid auto counters are a part of our Outreach Programme meant to provide public with a little help. But now, the entire responsibility rests on our shoulders," says a senior official.
About 70 per cent of public grievances related to autos are directed to the traffic police who, instead of concentrating on their duty of managing traffic, end up getting busy ‘catching’ speeding autos on the road and showing them the queue at pre-paid counters.
"And then we are pulled up for traffic congestion and accidents and the like. The mess has been created by someone else and after it takes its toll, elected representatives wake up only to shift the blame on us," adds the senior police official.
Says another inspector, “Don’t blame us for everything. If autos refuse to go where you want to go or demand excess fare, simply stop when you see a traffic police on the road and complain. Each of us has a traffic violation register (TVR) and complaints can be lodged and errant drivers booked. When the Black Berry is introduced, the errant auto number can be flashed across the City within seconds and it will definitely ease some problems. People don’t complain, they merely comply with demands by drivers. Traffic Police is here to serve citizens, not trouble them.”
Accepting the responsibility of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) managing autos in the City, R V D’souza, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bangalore City, claims they are doing their bit. "We receive grievances too and according to the complaint, action is taken, but sometimes it takes more time,” he says, adding that along with imposing fines, the auto drivers are prosecuted for offences such as non-renewal of permits.
When asked about the growing auto menace and whether the City needs any more autos, the RTO really has no answers. However, D’souza states, "We have sealed off issuing fresh permits to auto drivers since the past few months, considering the lack of space in the City." Take the bus
If autos are a problem, people must take the bus. "The BMTC has provided a good facility and people must make use of that," says D’souza. The traffic police believe that a concrete solution must be put in place.
"With about 30 per cent shortage of manpower in our department, the existing force has to monitor 400 junctions, attend to accident cases as well as enforce discipline and control violations. This multi-tasking will only lead to a decline in the quality of our work. The most important thing is to bridge animosity between the public and auto drivers. This is possible by initiating a dialogue between the two and framing a feasible solution," adds the senior police official.
For grievances related to autos call the RTO at 22352434 or email: transcom@kar.nic.in