Have you ever seen a large group of traffic police man a single junction? Instead of concentrating on regulating traffic, they seem more interested in pulling you over.
In the past, videos recorded by those who have been stopped by these traffic police have gone viral in which the cop has tried to scare motorists about how they have flouted rules despite counter arguments by the motorists defending their case.While the traffic police do carry out a civic duty, there are times when the traffic police have left you frustrated. Against this backdrop, a recent decision taken by the Mumbai traffic joint police commissioner, has spurred a debate among Goans whether similar set of rules need to be imposed in the state.
In the latest order issued by the Mumbai traffic police chief, which is seen widely as an anti-corruption diktat, the department has been told not to demand to see various documentation from motorists such as the vehicle’s PUC or insurance certificate.The move come after joint commissioner Milind Bharambe issued a stern order to his deputies and juniors in light of various complaints he had received about the traffic police constables’ behaviour on the road.
“At various instances, the motorist and the traffic police personnel get into an argument. This is affecting the image of the traffic police,” Bharambe wrote to his deputies in the order. According the order, the traffic officer must not ask for a PUC certificate, Green tax certificate or insurance papers apart from any other document issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The traffic police chief emphasised that constables use e-challan machines issued to them and penalise motorists only for offences, as instructed. The move is aimed to reduce the chances of arguments between the on duty traffic officials and motorists, who are stopped for traffic violations at junctions, the order read.
