| The Union Territory of Chandigarh is known throughout the
world for its excellent architecture and planning. The ‘City
Beautiful’ boasts of broad roads that are flanked by landscaped
greens. The city has the highest per capita income in the country
as also the highest per capita vehicle ownership. The city is
fast emerging as an information technology hub for the northern
region and is being labeled as one of the fastest emerging metros.
The bourgeoning population and the increasing vehicular congestion,
however, have placed tremendous pressure on the city roads.
During the last two decades the number of vehicles on the city
roads has increased at a phenomenal pace. Today more than 6
lakh vehicles are registered in Chandigarh with 100 vehicles
being added every day on the city roads. The city population
has crossed the one million mark and heavy influx of IT professionals
is expected with the IT boom. This increased congestion on the
city roads has led to an increase in the accident rate &
a gradual deterioration in the overall quality of driving experience.
In year 2004 the city witnessed 152 deaths due to road accidents.
The reduction of the accident rate & a qualitative improvement
of the driving experience is the biggest challenge for the Chandigarh
Traffic Police.
The Chandigarh Traffic Police was sanctioned as a separate
unit, distinct from the District Police, in the year 1974.
Today, it is headed by a Superintendent of Police who is assisted
by a Deputy Superintendent of Police and Traffic Inspectors.
The City is divided into three sub-divisions (see map) and
traffic regulation in each is supervised by a separate Traffic
Inspector. The internal administration is looked after by
the Inspector (Administration). A Sub-Inspector is posted
as the Incharge of the Challaning Branch at the Traffic Lines,
Sector 29, where the compounding fee for traffic challans
is received against receipt. The Traffic Lines also houses
the Traffic Control Room from where the toll-free Traffic
Helpline (1073) is operated under the supervision of the Inspector
(Administration). The Internal Vigilance Cell headed by an
independent Sub-Inspector is also located in the Sector 29
Traffic Lines. The Indoor Traffic auditorium is also located
within the same premises.
The Road Safety Cell
of the traffic police is located at the Chandigarh Traffic
Park, Sector 23 A and is headed by a Sub-Inspector.
The traffic police has 3 interceptor vehicles and six motorcycle
mobile patrols to assist the foot deployment at busy intersections
and traffic signals. Two Recovery Vans and one heavy crane are
deployed for the towing of wrongly parked vehicles. The city
has two Auto-Pounds located near busy commercial areas to facilitate
easy towing. The total strength of the traffic police including
all ranks is around 230. This is further augmented by some 140
Home Guard Volunteers. The traffic police manpower was last
sanctioned in 1974 after which the City has witnessed a 350%
increase in population, a 250% increase in road length and a
12,000% increase in the number of registered vehicles. The estimated
40,000 odd cycle-rickshaws plying on the city roads further
make the task of traffic management more challenging. The traffic
police solicit the active support of its citizens in achieving
a smooth flow of traffic and accident free roads. |
