Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Long time back I received a mail from Dr Sandeep Singh. I had misplaced it in my mailbox and finally yesterday I bumped into it again. Dr Singh is a resident of Model Town and complains about the authorities neglecting the development of north Delhi and he says that they are only concerned about improving conditions in south Delhi only.

He writes, “Why are the authorities and administration partial when it comes to development in north Delhi as compared to south Delhi? The entire stretch of the Ring Road from Ashram to Dhaula Kuan has flyovers making the flow of traffic smooth but when it comes to Azadpur crossing, the administration gives a step motherly treatment to it.”

He further writes, “In article dated November 24, 2004, a very valid point was raised regarding the encroachments in the city of Delhi and how it is one of the major reasons for traffic jams.

“One of the major areas where this problem is very acute is just before the Azadpur T-point on the Ring Road. The authorities in a bid to remove congestion have converged traffic coming from both Ring Road (From Model Town) and G.T. Road going towards the Azadpur T-point.

“Frequently there are massive jams on this small stretch of road not only due to the volume of traffic but also due to the huge number of encroachments by shopkeepers on the left hand side of the road when coming from Model Town side.

“Pedestrian movement and also parking of vehicles on the side creates a huge problem. It is really surprising that in times when whole of Delhi is being flooded with flyovers and subways, none has bothered to look in this direction. The urgent need here is both for a flyover as well as a subway.”

First I would like you to sit back and relax as Chatrasal stadium is very near to Azadpur and development of this area has to take place as this is also the venue for Commonwealth Games for few disciplines. So work will happen here sooner or later. The only concern right now at this intersection is encroachments and wrongly parked vehicles on the main carriageway. Cops need to do something about this.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

I received another feedback from T.C. Hingorani regarding people using tinted glasses in their cars. He says, “Do you know why the problems of overcharging by autos, vehicles plying with tinted glasses, scourge of blue line buses have remained unsolved all these years despite Delhi Police's BEST EFFORTS. Because DP does not want these problems to go away.

“Take the example of tinted glass; this problem would vanish in thin air overnight if the DCP(Traffic) cracks the whip in real sense. The unfortunate part is that the people at the helm of affairs be in Delhi Police or elsewhere in govt; suffer from the habit of solving the problem for the day and not completely uprooting it. What otherwise could explain the Delhi Police not grabbing with both the hands the solution to the problem of tinted glass vehicles offered by you in this column on a platter to them.

“The tragedy is that cops are incapable of thinking out of box, yet it is haughty (or downright stupid) enough to kind of reject your solution and instead mailing a copy of stereotyped public notice which we have grown old to seeing in national dailies year after year without it making even a dent on the problem.”

I don’t know what the cops think about all this, but I one thing I can understand is that the traffic police is prosecuting people using tinted glasses. On a daily my chief reporter mails me a press release, which he gets from Delhi Police, regarding the break up of people challaned during a day. And tinted glasses column is mentioned everytime there. I think even if the cops start prosecuting these vehicles with tinted glasses not conforming to rules on a daily basis and it continues for a good two months or so, it will discourage such people. I just hope that the cops continue this for a longer duration.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Suddenly these days one feels that cops are omnipresent. One can hear the siren everywhere and PCRs flashing lights mounted on their vehicles while patrolling the area. Well the aftermath of bomb blast in any city is going to be like this only. I feel they are doing this for good. An ordinary person on road feels safe and secure when he sees cops around him. Even the idea that some cop is near him gives a sense of relief to him. Well, I just hope that this process continues for good in Delhi. Even any miscreant will think twice before doing any act of mischief in such a situation.

I used to stay in Kailash Hills for three years and sometimes the patrolling motorbikes used to use sirens when they used to come for patrolling in the area at night. Believe me nothing used to happen on that night. Once they stopped the process in between and one night a robbery happened in which a colony security guard was injured badly. After this again the cops started using sirens while patrolling and everything was ok then.

I spoke to a police officer regarding this and he also agreed with it. He told me that in the US and Canada, whenever patrolling cars go on a call they use sirens. He said, “Their philosophy is that it gives a feeling of security to people and helps in preventing crime. Whereas Indians contend that using sirens will make the criminal aware and he’ll run. But anyways, tell me, how many criminals the cops catch in a fresh crime scene? Take the Dhaula Kuan rape case. The cops couldn’t do anything. Generally the tendency of Delhi Police is that they do extremely well in mock drills but fail the test when actual crime happens.”

Whatever the case is I think using of sirens and flashlights by cops should be made compulsory when they attend a call. At least it will give a common man some sense of security.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Sunday night was chaotic as the bomb blast took place at Liberty cinema hall and Satyam Cineplex. I was supposed to go to Liberty cinema hall to cover the event. When I came to know about it, I just crossed my fingers because the time was evening and the road was the New Rohtak Road. New Rohtak Road is one of the busiest roads of Central Delhi and reaching Liberty on any given day during peak hours is a pain. I was apprehensive about reaching the place quickly. I though of taking the inner lanes to Liberty but thanks to the Neighbourhood watch scheme gates couldn’t land up there. Finally I decided to take the main road, as beggars are not choosers. And lo… I reached the place within minutes. I never thought reaching such a place would be that easy for me. The traffic cops were leaving no stones unturned and traffic movement was very smooth. In fact even the DCP traffic had reached the place in no time. Well, I just want to appreciate the efforts of Traffic Police as they were the unsung hearoes too. There was no traffic jam and even the injured were taken to different hospitals without any hitch. I just wish the traffic cops regulate traffic in the same way everyday. The whole problem of jams on Rohtak Road till Kamal T-point will be history then.

Meanwhile, I received a mail from Johny Brigenza. He supports my suggestion for catching the vehicles with tinted glasses. He says, “Half-measures have never helped and this is what the Delhi Police have been doing over the past many years. You made a very practical suggestion in your column, that let the beat constables compile the data of tinted vehicles in their areas and then take suitable action. This exercise, if taken in right earnest, can be completed in one single day and Delhi Police will have the registration numbers of all the vehicles in Delhi which have tinted glass beyond the permissible limits. The beat constables can thereafter be made to doggedly pursue the owners/users to remove the films. I am sure most of them would comply and remove the films. It would be easier to proceed legally against a few who do not comply.”

I just seriously wish that Delhi Police should get after vehicles having tinted glasses not within the permissible limits.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Recently I wrote about people using tinted glasses in their vehicles in Delhi. I received a press release regarding that and I thought I would share the press release with you. The Delhi Traffic police press release says, “Traffic police which has launched an intensive drive against various violations of traffic rules has specially targeted the motor-vehicles with dark and reflective films on their windows and rear wind screens.
“In the last 24 hours (May 19) 928 vehicles have been challaned by the traffic police for having dark and reflective film on their windows and rear wind screens. The drive against dark and reflective film in vehicles was launched a few days ago in a more intensive form because of such vehicle having been found involved in heinous crimes including the Dhaula Kuan rape case.”

They have also told us about the rule, which is important for you to know. The rule 100 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 states “The glass of the wind screen and rear window of every motor vehicle shall be such and shall be maintained in such a condition that visual transmission of light is not less than 70%. The glasses used for side windows are such and shall be maintained in such condition that visual transmission of light is not less than 50% and shall conform to Indian Standards (IS: 2553- Part 2- 1992)”.
According to the cops, this year 5651 motorists have been prosecuted for having reflective films/dark films and dark tinted glasses on their vehicles. The Delhi Traffic Police advisory says that motorists should remove such dark films and save themselves from the botheration of being prosecuted and wasting time on impleading with the Traffic Police Officers.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

I received a mail from a colleague of mine asking whether one should keep original registration and insurance papers in the vehicle or photocopies can also be useful? Although I have mentioned this before in my column but I thought I would share it once again with the readers. One can keep an attested photocopy of registration paper and insurance paper in your vehicle. But the photocopy should be attested either by a class I gazetted officer or by a public notary.

Meanwhile, Delhi Traffic Police has taken out an advisory for commuters traveling around Saket. The Delhi Jal Board shall be carrying out Sonia Vihar underground water pipeline laying work at Anupam PVR Road, Saket, shortly. Due to this construction work, the western side of the road from Press Enclave Road to Mehrauli Badarpur Road shall be barricaded and will not be available for movement of traffic.

During this construction phase, which is likely to start soon, there shall be one-way traffic circulation on Anupam PVR Road. Vehicular traffic can enter this road and exit towards Mehrauli Badarpur Road or Mandir Road (road between Saket and Pushp Vihar). No vehicle shall be allowed entry towards PVR Saket from M.B. Road.

Motorists destined for Anupam PVR and other adjoining areas from M.B. Road/Saidulajaib side may take M. B. Road, Mandir Road, Press Enclave Road to reach their destinations. The Construction work by Delhi Jal Board is likely to take about two months. Motorists and road users are requested to abide by the given traffic circulation and directions of Delhi Traffic Police.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Yesterday only in my column I had mentioned about people using tinted glasses in their cars. And ironically the day I wrote the column (i.e. on Monday), in the evening only I saw a Santro car with pitch black tinted glasses. One couldn’t even make out who was driving the car. The car (DL 4C R 3523) had a board affixed above the number plate painted in the colours of Delhi Police (Red and Blue) saying it belonged to some human rights forum and was entering Karol Bagh from Pusa Road. I just want to make a point here what these people must be doing in the name of NGO when they themselves don’t respect the law. Behind too above the number plate the car had the colours of Delhi Police painted so that if a cop sees it from behind, he thinks it belongs to some Delhi Police officer. In my opinion, such people should be punished and heavily fined.

This is not a sole case of this type on Delhi roads. I see plenty of cars using boards of some crime prevention cell, etc and every car has tinted glasses. I spoke to a traffic police official and he said, “Such agencies are fraud. They register themselves in the name of some NGO working towards crime prevention and then distribute ID cards and stickers to people for a price. Suppose he sells it for Rs 400 to 100 people, he makes a cool Rs 40,000. Another thing that they guarantee is that if these cars with stickers gets challaned, then these agencies make it sure that the challan is cancelled.”

I think Delhi police should launch a drive where they should ensure a blanket ban on tinted glasses within the city. Meanwhile, for the benefit of commuters, I must inform them that there’s a drive going on by the Delhi Traffic Police against visible violations in intersections. So beware Delhiites, be on your guard.

Monday, May 16, 2005

I received a mail from Akhil Gulati who writes, “After hearing all these incidence of rapes/harassments in Delhi, is police taking some action? Or are they just for the security of VIP's. Take for e.g. Chandigarh, which is very safe and sound. I would like to bring your attention to the dark glasses of cars in which these incidents happens, even the VIP cars with red beacon light shouldn't be spared. I don’t understand one thing, Delhi being the capital, why the word safety is missing in it? Whether it is safety for woman or safety for daily commuters on Delhi roads.
I would request you to forward my mail to the COMMISSIONER OF POLICE to take early action on the tinted glasses of cars.”

I totally agree with you Akhil regarding the issue of using tinted glasses in cars. By only challaning the cars during a drive for tinted glasses won’t solve this problem. I think the local police should take the issue of tinted glasses in cars too. Right from the beat constables level it should happen. The beat constables should check all the cars having tinted glasses in their area. They can forward this list to the traffic police who then can send them challans. Now the beat constables should check these cars after some time again and if they still have tinted glasses, then the owners should be fined heavily. Not only this, the beat constables should also keep a check on the shops which put films on the glasses of the cars. They too should be fined if they are caught putting films on the cars.

Yes, I agree with him that in Chandigarh at least people are afraid of cops and law enforcement is better than Delhi. Although incidents of drunken driving in Chandigarh are visibly high but one cannot compare it with Delhi due to logistical reasons.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005


The killer advertisement banner of Idea Cellular hanging in the middle of the Ring Road. (9-5-2005) Posted by Hello

Recently I was passing through Ring Road at Moolchand and suddenly I saw an advertising banner of Idea cellular, which was affixed across the road falling down on the road. This is extremely dangerous situation as most of the scooterists drive on the left-most lane. And this banner was lying dangerously on the road with two ropes tied to the banner. An accident was waiting to happen.

Obviously such banners are banned on the road. And MCD guys repeatedly remove these banners from the road by hiring labourers and a truck. They do all the spending on it. I think the MCD should fine these guys for breaking the law blatantly. I have seen these days Idea guys putting such banners on the roadsides at other places also. This is no way to advertise where a life of motorists on road is in danger. Action should be taken against such companies and people involved in putting such banners.

Monday, May 09, 2005

On Monday morning I received a call from a close friend of mine who was travelling in her car with her mother. She was in a horrified mood as a guy on his bike (DL 8S Z 3865) was stalking her. She told me that she was filing up petrol from Punjabi Bagh petrol pump when these guys on their bike saw her. As soon as she hit the ring road to go towards Chanakyapuri, these guys too started following her. They were driving in a zig-zag passion cutting her way and laughing and making faces at her.

She got really scared and started driving fast. To catch her those guys also picked up the speed and in trying to cut her way they fell down. She thought that her problems were over when they again started chasing her from behind and shouting names at her and laughing. Both mom and daughter were too scared to drive and then they decided to call me. I too was in affix as she had to take an interview and police action would be time consuming. At that time they had reached Naraina and traffic was building up. Then I remembered about a police post at Naraina on Ring Road and asked them to go there and lodge a complaint and seek the help of the cops.

Once they reached the cops they lodged a complaint. Seeing them stop at the police booth, the guys on the bike disappeared. But I was amazed what the cops had to say about it. The cops told them that since it started at Punjabi Bagh so complaint should be lodged at Punjabi Bagh Police station only. Now how can a person go back and lodge a complaint there. At times when Delhi police is thinking about modernisation, such actions only dissuade public to lodge complaints. I asked my friend to lodge a complaint but she said that she is too scared to go to police station. Had I not been writing this column, this incident too would have gone unreported.

I think that Delhi police should make a separate cell, which deals with Road Rage and other crimes on road.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

I received a mail from “a desperate commuter” N. Soni, a Defence Colony resident who writes, “I am writing to seek your help in resolving a major traffic problem. The Moolchand flyover has a separate lane earmarked for those wishing to take a U-turn. Recently some orange markers (bollards) have been installed to demarcate the lane. But no traffic cop is there to ensure enforcement. Hence those going straight continue to block the U-turn lane, and some even move the posts around to rejoin the traffic going straight! Every day, this means a loss of 5-10 minutes for those commuters who wish to make only the U-turn. No amount of honking helps, and meanwhile the U-turn traffic piles up, entirely defeating the decongesting purpose and convenience of the flyover.

“As I’m erstwhile resident of Mumbai, I can assure you no car driver would dare to block a right, left or u-turning lane in that city. Yet Delhiites and the Delhi Government seem to stomach this as routine expected inconvenience.”

Well, even I have noticed this problem of straight-going cars blocking the way for vehicles wanting to take a U-turn. The cops should seriously do something about this. Meanwhile, one of my colleagues was unaware of the one-way traffic pattern in South Extension area. And by mistake he entered the road from wrong side and was caught by the traffic cop. He says, “I had no problems paying for the challan. The only problem is the cops rather than just cutting the challan talk to you in a humiliating passion. They should be taught manners and how to deal with public. Moreover, when we tried to tell him to be polite, the sub inspector S.S. Yadav shot back saying ‘Kya kar loge, dismiss hi kara loge na. Accha hai ghar mein aaram se baithoonga.’(What can you do. At the most you can get me dismissed. It’s good, I’ll sit at home in peace).”

I think the sub inspector was very nasty. Delhi traffic Police should do something to change their attitude towards public and teach some manners.

Sunday, May 01, 2005

I received another mail from SM Hussain who writes, “In spite of the recent Supreme Court order to round up stray cattle in the city and promises by the MCD Commissioner, yet another case of stray bull attacking people has come to light. In this case, the victim was 15-year old Dimpi Puri, a resident of I.P. Extension, who was brutally attacked by a stray bull on late Tuesday (April 26) evening.

“Animals are a big nuisance for the smooth flow of traffic in the city. They are responsible for many road accidents and traffic jams. Many motorists have narrowly escaped, especially during night, when these animals jump from nowhere in front of speeding vehicles. The danger escalates more on the stretches where there are no fences/railings between the roads. It is also a common site for Delhiites to see bovines sitting in the middle of the roads.

“Tourists visiting from other countries think that animals too have their lanes on Delhi roads. Cows are attracted to dustbins to eat the leftovers. They also peep through the car windows non-chalantly because some people are in the habit of feeding them with 'rotis' in the hope of achieving salvation.

“MCD should take the following measures to get rid of these animals from Delhi roads: (i) Eviction of dairies from the city (ii) All dust-bins should be properly covered without any spillage. (iii) Impounding the animals and auctioning them in other states. (iv) Strict penalties on the owners of the stray-cattle for letting them loose on the roads. People should stop feeding cows on the roadsides but help 'goshalas' or animal shelters for the rehabilitation of stray animals.”

I think MCD has improved on this count according to a Delhi Traffic Police official. He told me that; “They have improved a lot as whenever we message them about stray cattle, they pick them up immediately. They are taking action nowadays. The only thing is that this process should continue.”

However, the thing is that the MCD department handling this is very small. I think the staff should be increased so that they can clear the mess. Moreover, the suggestions given by Hussain are good enough to clear the mess if followed judiciously.