11 Mangaluru Traffic Warden Squad Members honoured for Selfless Service
Mangaluru: You could call them the Good Samaritans who come to the rescue during traffic chaos and congestion, which makes life of the motorists and commuters little bit easier. Giving a fillip to the police’s efforts to regulate traffic in the city, the members of the Mangaluru traffic warden squad volunteer and sacrifice part of their lifestyle towards this good work in controlling the traffic during rush hours. This squad was started by the former Police Commissioner S. Murugan in 2015 with then 95-year-old Joe Gonsalves as the chief traffic warden. The voluntary service done by these squad members showcases that citizens in Mangaluru are responsible and they can take care of themselves. The squad aims to involve people in traffic management.
City Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh exhorted the younger generation in the city to join hands with police as traffic wardens to streamline the ever-increasing vehicular traffic while speaking after felicitating members of Mangaluru Traffic Warden Squad, who have been lending their help to the police in managing the traffic since 2015. Squad members, under Chief Traffic Warden Joe Gonsalves, have been assisting the traffic police in managing traffic during morning, afternoon and evening peak hours.
Police Commissioner Suresh said, “Though the number of traffic police stations has been increased from three to four, police find it is difficult to manage the ever-increasing number of vehicles. Over 6.5 lakh vehicles are registered and kept for use in Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks. Added to these, hundreds of vehicles from neighbouring Kerala enter Mangaluru regularly. In such a situation, police always appreciate helping hands, and I also urge the youth to join this honorary service. Traffic wardens are not paid by the department. They are doing a voluntarily/honorary contribution to the community”
On the occasion, the 11 traffic wardens of the city were felicitated and also provided cash award given by Dubai- based entrepreneur Michael D’Souza in appreciation of their service. Also speaking on the occasion, traffic engineering architect Praveen Chandra Shetty said, “Mangaluru City faces unique traffic issues on two counts — narrow roads and diversion of underground parking space for other purposes. Consequently, pressure on the traffic police is always high, and for that matter, I am always available to the police to find out solutions”.
Great job by the Police Commissioner and department. These persons deserve to be honoured for the selfless yeoman service they are rendering to the city of Mangalore. Hats off to our ever green hero Joe Gonsalves. He is a role model to our youngsters of today.