Citizens Phone-In Police Commissioner on Illegal Parking/Street Vendors Menace/Shrill horns Etc
Mangaluru: Week after week, it seems like the citizens have the same kind of problems that they are facing with traffic menace and other Mangaluru City Corporation neglected issues when they call with their grievances during the Phone-In programme handled by Police Commissioner TR Suresh. This morning, 18 callers between 10 am-11 am period, highlighted inconvenience owing to haphazard parking, bad footpaths, rash and negligence bus drivers, buses skipping their routes, illegal parking by two-wheelers/cars, street vendors menace, shrill horns in buses etc etc. The phone-in programme, which was initiated by his predecessor M. Chandra Sekhar, has been continued forward by the present Police Commissioner TR Suresh- and even though not all, quite a few citizens problems have been rectified- and a few still to be solved.
One caller said the problems caused by haphazard parking of lorries/buses on some of the busy city roads- even trucks are parked for unloading of goods obstructing movement of vehicles. “Speeding buses are safety hazard for pedestrians and smaller vehicles; Two-wheelers are always parked on the footpath near SDM college; In spite of No Parking sign posted, vehicles are seen parked near Brindavan Restaurant-Highland/Falnir, causing inconveniences for other motorists; Buses are being washed/parked on the roadside near KPT junction. Traffic Jam still exists even in spite of the circle being reduced in size. Huge potholes also near the Nanthoor Junction causing inconveniences for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders”, – were other complaints.
A lady caller said that a bunch of men are seen gambling near Lady Goschen hospital, which is uncomfortable for commuters, especially women. Other complaints were-“People are dumping garbage near Gurpur Bus Shelter, and the stink is unbearable by commuters standing there; Another caller said city buses move on all the three lanes of the road between Clock Tower Circle and A.B. Shetty Circle that slows down movement of vehicles; the plastic yellow speed-breakers are very dangerous, especially at night for two-wheelers; Bus route No 61 and 10 A are charging extra, without offering student discount; 43 B has stopped its service putting commuters in hardship; many heavy vehicles parked on the stretch near Mahesh PU College causing inconvenience for motorists and pedestrians”.
A employee of St Agnes College complained stating that auto-rickshaw drivers are charging more than the Rs 25 minimum fare, and they are rude too. “Need police patrol near St Agnes College and St Theresa’s school during mornings and evenings; {for which Police commissioner said, it is hard for the department to provide police force at all the institutions in city}; Bus shelter is used by beggars/stray dogs near KSRTC bus stand; Shrill horns by bus drivers is nuisance for patients near Fr Muller Hospital; Beggars are seen sleeping in the basement of Prathiba Hospital-Kadri; Few bus shelters in city are being used by two-wheelers for parking; Street vendors/mobile food canteens are occupying most of the parking space in the city, and they also dirty the surroundings” – were other complaints.
These are among the many grievances that the citizens called in and requested Police commissioner to take action- and in reply T R Suresh assured them of quick action from his side if the problems belong to the police dept- other issues will be communicated with MCC or other departments to solve the problems. Suresh also promised to launch a special drive to clear encroachment of roads and pavements. Action will be taken against buses that do not follow lane discipline, he said. A meeting will soon called prior to Traffic Safety week, and many projects will be planned for the betterment of the people.
Ms Uma Prashanth- DCP-Crime; Manjunath Shetty- ACP-Traffic; Hanumantharaya-DCP-Law; Kumaraswamy- Police Inspector-North Traffic; K H Yusuf -ASI, CCRB Unit; and Amanulla A- Police Inspector, Traffic West were present during the phone-in programme