With the introduction of new-age technology, CCTV cameras have become reliable tools for law enforcement agencies across the globe. With Nagpur’s growth and expansion, State Government installed around 3,300 CCTV cameras at important intersections five years ago. Apart from crime control, the traffic police are using CCTV cameras to penalise rule violators by issuing e-challans. However, many are still found breaking traffic rules, raising question about efficacy of CCTV cameras as deterrents for violators. ‘The Hitavada’ spoke to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Traffic, Chetna Tidke on the issue. A native of Bhandara district, she completed her BTech (Chemical Engineering) from LIT and joined police force in 2010. According to DCP Tidke, traffic police extensively employ CCTV cameras to effectively monitor traffic movement. Upon identifying congestion, officers concerned are immediately instructed to address it. CCTV footage has proved instrumental in identifying and booking offenders.

 

“Traffic police take appropriate action, including booking offenders where nuisance creators are captured in CCTV footage,” she stated. Tidke cited a recent incident at Futala Lake, where a group of individuals indulged in car racing on busy roads. Thanks to CCTV evidence, the traffic police were able to identify and book the drivers responsible, including a teenager. The parents of the offenders were also summoned to police station for necessary action, she said, emphasising that CCTVs were definitely working as deterrents for rule violators. DCP Tidke also cited statistics of e-challans to support her claim. “Over the past six months, the traffic police have issued a staggering 1.75 lakh challans to violators of traffic rules. The violations include unauthorised interference with vehicles, not wearing helmets, using fancy number plates, parking on roads, and breaching traffic signals,” she said. On missing traffic sense in citizens, Tidke said that most citizens followed the rules. However, a significant number of individuals, particularly youngsters and teenagers, flout traffic rules. “We are issuing e-challans to them to discourage them from such behaviour. But parenting and teaching in school could play a vital role in making them aware of traffic rules,” she said. The Traffic Police are making efforts to tackle traffic congestion and enforce traffic rules, she added. The department has identified 36 congestion points and taken action to address the issue.

 

By deploying additional manpower and implementing diversion points, the traffic police aim at easing traffic congestion and improving the flow of vehicles. DCP Tidke also acknowledged shortcomings of traffic police but attributed it to ongoing construction works across the city that necessitate traffic diversions. Additionally, growing vehicular population, combined with unchanged road width and infrastructure contributes to congestion during peak hours. The DCP cited successful resolution of traffic congestion at Ajni RoB by implementing diversion points. Additionally, the traffic police have identified 22 points where new traffic signals will be installed to regulate traffic flow. “Citizens must adhere to traffic rules sincerely. This can automatically resolve many traffic congestion issues,” she believed. n