Srinagar, May 17: At a time when Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is in news for adhering to traffic signals, the men-in-blue often add manual efforts in the regulation of traffic by literally making people look towards the Red, Orange or Green lights.
 The Traffic cops deployed at Jehangir Chowk, a busy junction, few furlongs away from the Civil Secretariat, are often seen pointing their fingers towards the traffic signals to make the drivers realize that now they no more need to bank on the body movements of the beat constables. Similar is the scene near the Poloview signals.
 For those, aware of the signal development, the scene of a cop making manual efforts to enforce electronic system often provides a laughingstock. But for others, it’s a much required awareness.

THE CM ENDEAVOUR
Since May 7 when the Durbar Move offices resumed work in this summer Capital, the Chief Minister was seen adhering to the traffic signals along the plush MA Road-Civil Secretariat route, when his entire cavalcade took halt in accordance with the red light countdown.
 Chief Minister’s admirers say he “set an example of following rules by stopping his cavalcade at a traffic signal and waiting for the green light.”
 The manual enforcement
 The traffic police’s manual enforcement of the electronic signals has come up at a time when the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), which is installing the new system, eyes to make police intervention minimal in traffic regulation. Observers say to make the electronic signalling a success, awareness drives would be required.

POLICE SPEAKS
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Shafqat Watali admitted that there was “some lack of awareness.”
 “Not only the general people but even our staffers need some sensitization,” the DIG admitted.
 He said in the coming days senior officials of the department including him would start an on-the-spot drive to make people and the cops fully aware about the traffic signals.
 To a question on fining the offenders, he said: “First we want to give counselling a chance because compliance as of now has been around 85 %.”

SMC SPEAKS
The SMC Commissioner, Dr GN Qasba, who eyes to complete the signalling at all the 34 designated spots by June 15, said the electronic signals have started reaping benefits in smooth flow of traffic.
 “At a time when mere four-five traffic signals have brought a sea change in the traffic flow, one should imagine the benefits when all the designated spots will have the traffic signals in place,” he said.
 To a question on CM’s adherence to traffic signals, Dr Qasba said: “One must look at this endeavour as a statement, better say a strong message that everyone will have to abide to traffic signals.”
 Dr Qasba too plans of general awareness on traffic signals. “We’ll go for volunteers from schools and colleges who after a brush-up on traffic norms will go for general awareness,” Dr Qasba told Greater Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 IST