Srinagar, May 3: The next time you are stuck in a traffic mess, a common scene on the City centre streets, feel free to file a complaint with the Traffic Police top brass including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic straight on his personal mobile number. Or if you have a smart phone, upload the pictures or a video right on their Facebook page.
 This is what the DIG Traffic Kashmir Shafqat Watali Thursday announced at his first media interaction since he assumed the charge.
 Flanked by SP Traffic, Srinagar Haseeb-Ur-Rehman, the DIG said: “I cannot promise miracles but improvement will definitely be there. Forget yesterday. Forget today. You will see a change from tomorrow.”

AAM AADMI ROLE
 The DIG said Aam Aadmi and media would play a crucial role in the streamlining of traffic.
 “I hope that people will make the best use of my personal number or that of my SP, to get rid of the traffic mess or any violation in this regard they come across,” the DIG said.
 The DIG’s number is 9419102410 and SP, Haseeb-Ur-Rehman’s cell No is 9419166437 while the Facebook page for public access is DIG Traffic Kashmir (digtraffickashmir@gmail.com).
 To a question, he dispelled the apprehension that anybody complaining about misconduct on the part of men-in-blue would be taken to task. “Anything pertaining to traffic regulation can be shared with us and we will keep the identity of the complainant concealed,” he assured.

HEALTHY CRITICISM WELCOME
 The DIG said he wasn’t averse to criticism from media. “I look at him as a friend of mine who points out my shortcomings,” he added.
  “Public presence and their grievances or suggestions through whatever media should be there,” the DIG said.

STAFF STARVATION
 Admitting that the traffic police was staff starved, he said, from the reopening of Durbar offices in Srinagar, the regular police would assist the men-in-blue in traffic regulation.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL SUCCESS UNCERTAIN
 To a question on the ongoing installation of Traffic signals in the City, the DIG said it would be too early to comment on the success of the new system.

NEW MALL VIOLATION OF NORMS
Hinting towards the mega mall near the exhibition crossing inaugurated Wednesday, the DIG said the building had come up in violation of norms.
 “Constructions like these coupled with encroachments have been a cause of traffic mess… You cannot blame the Traffic police for every problem because we alone aren’t responsible. Other agencies too like SMC and R&B have to play their role,” he added.

FAKE PARKING LOTS TO GO
 To a question on fake parking lots, which charge illegally from people at places like Shaheed Gunj, he said no illegal parking lots would be allowed.
 “A lot of issues even apart from this like metering of auto-rickshaws are to be solved…Give me some time and you will see the change,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 May 2012 00:00:00 IST