Focus more on traffic regulation rather than issuing challans: DGP tells cops

At a review meeting with the senior officials of the Traffic Police, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Sagar Preet Hooda conveyed that the main focus of the traffic cops in the city should be to regulate the traffic movement and educate the commuters as well as general public about the rules rather than just issuing manual challans.

The directions to this effect have been issued by the DGP after reviewing the working of the Traffic Police and taking note of the feedback received from multiple stakeholders, it is learnt.

“Let the challans for routine traffic violations be issued through automated systems and less emphasis should be paid on manual intervention/challans for routine violations,” the top cop directed the Traffic Police.

However, the DGP has made it clear that the traffic challans should be issued manually in case of dangerous driving and other blatant/ visible traffic offences/ violations that may cause danger or prove fatal to the public lives and impact smooth traffic movement.

It is learnt that there were complaints of unprofessional conduct, misbehaviour and unnecessary harassment to the commuters, especially those driving vehicles with outstation registration numbers in the city.

Taking cognisance of the matter, the DGP has issued a stern warning against any misconduct on the part of the cops while emphasising zero tolerance for corruption and misbehaviour.

“Anyone found indulging in unprofessional conduct, misbehaviour or causing unnecessary harassment to the public/commuters will not be spared at any cost and strict departmental action will be initiated in all such cases,” Dr Hooda told the traffic cops, while reiterating his resolve for ensuring complete accountability, transparency and responsiveness in the day-to-day working of the Chandigarh Police.

MP raised issue in Parliament

Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari had recently raised the issue of exponential rise in traffic challans in the city in the Parliament.

Commenting on the reply by the Ministry of Home Affairs to his question on traffic challans issued in Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha, Tewari endorsed the public perception that an extractive and extortive paradigm has been institutionalised through the Intelligent Traffic Management System in the city.