Top cop flags off 10 ERVs from Police Lines

Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma on Saturday flagged off 10 new emergency response vehicles (ERVs) at the Police Lines here to strengthen the city’s traffic management system.

During the event, Sharma outlined a set of comprehensive measures designed to ensure smoother traffic flow throughout the city, which has been divided into eight zones (earlier six zones) for more efficient operations.

He said 40 PCR motorcycles and 40 PCR vehicles were already in use across these zones and with the addition of the 10 new ERVs, the fleet now includes a total of 50 vehicles and 40 motorcycles, all of which would be deployed 24x7 on Ludhiana’s busiest roads to conduct continuous traffic patrols.

The CP said over 450 traffic officers and personnel were currently assigned to these zones, with plans to increase the number to 550 soon. To streamline the operations, two Station House Officers (SHOs) had been appointed to oversee traffic management in various areas.

Sharma emphasised that duties and responsibilities had been decentralised, allowing traffic in-charges to make on-the-spot decisions to ensure smooth traffic flow, including the ability to call for PCRs or additional staff directly from other zones, which would enhance coordination between the eight zones.

He said the zone in-charges would monitor traffic within their designated areas, with particular attention to eight high-traffic locations, including the Railway Station, Bus Stand, Ferozepur Road and Verka Milk Plant. They would maintain constant vigilance to promptly address congestion. In the first phase of the initiative, the focus will be on the city’s eight most congested roads, with plans to expand coverage to additional areas in the next phase, ensuring comprehensive traffic management throughout the city.

The CP also noted that these initiatives reflect the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to improve traffic discipline and providing residents with a hassle-free commuting experience.

Roadside vendors to be allowed separate space

The top cop said the police with the help of the Municipal Corporation would also sort out issues of encroachments on roads. The police would also not harass roadside vendors but a seperate space would be provided to them so that their employment should not suffer.