Traffic cops missing in ‘traffic month’

KANPUR: With traffic awareness month already in its last week, the traffic scenario of the city seems to have improved marginally but, there is still scope for improvement. While traffic police have been deployed on major crossings at the Mall Road, several other important roads of the city have been left untouched. No traffic constable has been deployed at busy areas like Fazalganj, ITI chauraha, Motijheel, Tilak Nagar, Sant Nagar chauraha and Gumti to regulate haphazard movement of traffic, specially during the peak hours.
A heavy traffic jam can be seen at ITI chauraha every day at around 2.00 pm when the schools get over and students leave for their homes. This crossing is an intersection point between two schools--Sir Padampat Singhania School and Mariyampur Girls' School. “The fast running traffic from the Narendra Mohan flyover, connecting GSVM medical college and JK temple, also contributes to traffic snarls during day hours. A traffic cop should be deployed atleast during the day hours when the two schools get over,” said a parent.
Similarly, the traffic is in chaotic state throughout the day near Fazalganj crossing, which is one of the busiest crossings in the city. This crossing connects south city with the north city. Constant traffic monitoring is required in this area which is also a hub to various bus services and leads to huge rush of passengers throughout the day.
When asked why many of the prominent crossings of the city have been left untouched even during the traffic awareness month, C.O. (traffic), Ambrish Bhadauria, said that this was due to shortage of manpower in the police traffic department. “We have picked up the crossings according to the pressure of traffic movement. Due to lack of force we are unable to deploy traffic constables at every area of the city. However, we are trying to spread awareness among locals for the systematic movement of traffic. We have installed traffic rules telling voice system at 15 crossings of the city, including Phoolbagh, Meghdoot, Bada Chauraha, Ghantaghar, Tat Mill etc,” he said.