Identify traffic choke points, new SSP tells cops

Dehradun: Two days after taking charge as the senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Dehradun, IPS officer Sweety Agarwal in her first meeting with district police officers on Saturday directed them to identify traffic choke points that cause congestion in the city.
During the meeting at Police Lines in Race Course on Saturday, the new SSP also directed all heads of police stations to suggest remedial measures to prevent traffic jams in Dehradun.
“I have told all in charges of police stations to make a list of traffic bottlenecks in their station limits. Once the obstructions are identified, we will find out ways to remove all the choke points so that traffic can move smoothly,” said Agarwal.
The officer has also asked sub-inspectors and inspectors to hold meetings with the owners of marriage bands and banquet halls in the city to ensure smoother flow of traffic.
“Band owners must inform police about their marriage programs in advance so that necessary arrangements can be made to ensure smooth flow of traffic. The wedding processions will be asked to move on one side of the road and told to reach the destination as quick as possible,” said the SSP.
Banquet halls must make appropriate arrangements for parking to prevent chaos on city roads. Parking vehicles on roads should be the last resort, she added.
Agarwal said that she will also speak to senior officers in the railway department on ways to reduce traffic congestion on both sides of railway gates especially when trains are crossing. “We will request the railway officials to reduce the closure timings of gates so that vehicles do not pile up on both sides,” she said.
The SSP has also asked the City Patrol Unit to ensure compliance of traffic rules on city roads.
This is not the first time that the 2006 batch IPS officer is trying to bring order to city roads. Agarwal enjoyed a 10-month stint as SP Traffic of Dehradun ending in 2010. During her tenure, she rolled out various measures to crack down on errant drivers. She focused on curbing underage and reckless driving and on those riding without helmets. Agarwal has previously served the key posts of SSP Haridwar and SSP Nainital.