Nagpur: The Second Capital of Maharashtra is currently grappling with a severe shortage of traffic police personnel, leading to widespread traffic congestion, poor law enforcement, and an increase in road accidents. The recent Gond Gowari morcha blockade further highlighted the inadequacy of the existing workforce.
According to a local media report, against a sanctioned staff strength of 950, the Nagpur traffic police currently operate with only 560 personnel. Notably, there are 311 vacant positions in the constabulary ranks, crucial for on-the-ground traffic management. The shortage of manpower becomes apparent when considering the city’s vehicular population exceeding 20 lakhs and the presence of vehicles registered with rural RTOs and neighbouring states.
The report further said that due to the insufficient number of traffic cops, authorities must prioritize deployment based on the perceived importance of roads. High-priority areas include those frequented by VVIPs, such as Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Consequently, officers often work extended hours, compromising effective traffic management, especially on internal roads where accidents and violations are more prevalent.
The shortage has resulted in compromised traffic management, leading to frequent congestion and an alarming rise in traffic violations. In 2023 alone, 841 out of 1,216 reported road accidents occurred on internal roads. The prioritization of busy roads and VVIP routes has left internal roads neglected, exacerbating the challenges faced by commuters and residents.
A demand has been submitted to Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal to increase the number of traffic police personnel. This is crucial to ensure comprehensive coverage and effective traffic management across all zones. In addition to manpower, investing in technology, such as an ITMS, can significantly enhance traffic management capabilities. The establishment of a technology section within the Commissionerate can keep the police updated on ITMS development, law enforcement practices, and innovative solutions adopted globally.
Continuous training programs should be implemented to equip traffic police with the skills needed to efficiently utilize both manpower and technology for effective traffic management.
Insufficient number of traffic cops has meant that authorities have to be selective in manpower deployment. They go by priority, said cops. The top priority is busy roads. Keeping in mind the regular visits of VVIPs to the city, which is home to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, and MPCC Congress President Nana Patole, a major chunk of policemen are deployed for their smooth movement, the report said.
Frequent visits of these and other ministers also forces traffic cops to many times discharge duty for more than 12 hours a day. For almost 20 days a month, traffic cops work beyond duty hours, the report said, adding the cops, if deployed, usually remain busy in issuing challans and ignore traffic management.
The flip side is that the internal roads, which witness more accidents and violations, get left out of the enforcement radar. The demand for enforcement on these roads is only growing each day, traffic grows. Of the 1,216 road accidents reported in 2023, 841 were reported on internal roads.
Traffic management has taken a back seat and most of the city roads have started witnessing jams. Even traffic violations have increased manifold. Instead of increasing manpower, use of technology is a way out and intelligent traffic management system (IMTS) is a solution. Police should have a technology section in the CP office to keep up-to-date knowledge about ITMS development, and law and order management in India and abroad, a motorist said.
