| 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 7 lakh vehicles are registered in Chandigarh with 200 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. 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 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 12 interceptor vehicles and 28 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 300. This is further augmented by some 190 Home Guard Volunteers. The traffic police manpower was last sanctioned in 1974. |
