Mangaluru: The Traffic Warden Squad was inaugurated at the police commissioner’s office here, on October 2.
Prior to the inauguration, a traffic warden squad rally was flagged off by the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, Dr Aloysius P D’Souza at the Hampankatta signal.
A stage programme was held at the commissioner’s office. DCP of Crime, Dr Sanjeev M Patil welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the Chairman of Unity Health Complex, Dr Habeeb Rahman by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Habeeb said that on October 2, we all observe the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi the father of the nation, who fought with a new weapon called ‘ahimsa’. He had guided the people on how a country can achieve independence without any weapons. He is the only man who fought through ahimsa and freed the country from the Britishers.
He further said that Joe Gonsalves, a young man of 94 years, is always ready to solve the problems. “He is actively involved when there are problems in the community; social or law and order, he actively participates to solve them. Now he has taken the responsibility of a great area where the public is really in need. With his leadership, the traffic movement will be better and people will follow the traffic rules properly.” He congratulated Joe Gonsalves and his team for their service to the society.
DCP of Law and Order, Shantharaju administered the oath to the Traffic wardens. ID cards and certificates were distributed to the traffic wardens by the guests.
ACP of Traffic, Uday Nayak briefed on the Traffic Warden Squad. He said that 23 traffic wardens have joined the squad. Joe Gonsalves will lead the traffic warden squad. If anyone is interested to join the TWS, they are welcome to join. The traffic warden should not be involved in any crime. If the students are interested to join, they have to get permission from their parents. The TWS should bring awareness among the people. Traffic violation slips should be issued to traffic rules violators and inform the nearest police station. The TWS has the same power as that of a police constable. ACP Uday also said that no one can take advantage of the traffic warden thinking that they do not have any power. “When there are any processions or programmes, the TWS will be deployed to control the traffic. The TWS will start from today, they have already been trained to control the traffic.”
Chief Traffic Warden Joe Gonsalves said, “In the olden days, there was not much traffic and accidents were also less. I have been driving from the past 65 years and it is a pleasure to drive in Mangaluru. But nowadays, we hear about many road accidents. My intention is to reduce traffic accidents and in this regard, I was trying to start a traffic warden squad from the past nineteen months in Mangaluru. Finally with the support and efforts of the police commissioner S Murugan, it has been possible to start the TWS.” He also thanked DCP Dr Sanjeeva, ACP Uday Nayak and Inspector Shivakumar for their efforts.
Police commissioner S Murugan congratulated all the traffic wardens who have come forward to help the traffic police in controlling the traffic. “Today we are celebrating GandhiJayanti. We need to inculcate his principles and ideas of peace in our lives.”
He further said that the traffic warden system is not new. It is operating successfully inPuttur. The public has joined hands with the traffic police to control the traffic. Later, it was started in Bengaluru and Mysuru. The government has given permission to Mangaluru afterBengaluru to have a traffic warden squad. TWS will help to control traffic violations. Any organization or any police officer alone cannot bring changes in the society. “A policeman is a citizen with uniform and a citizen is a policeman without uniform”. If the public will join hands with the police, we can bring changes in the society.” He urged more and more students as well as the citizens to join the squad. He also thanked the organizations for joining hands with the traffic police. “Let the traffic warden spread to the rural areas so that the traffic in Mangaluru will flow smoothly and Mangaluru will become a smart city.”
Traffic Inspector Suresh Kumar delivered the vote of thanks.