Eye on traffic discipline, cops to take offenders by surprise

To enforce discipline among commuters, city traffic police have taken up a drive called Operation Achanak. The exercise entails concealed policing at traffic signals in Kothrud. The modus operandi adopted by the police is to stay hidden from sight at the signals and leap out only when they spot a traffic offender to nab him or her.

The move stems from the belief held by the traffic police that commuters tend to follow rules only when the cops are around and flout them when they feel that the law enforcers are not watching.

"We want to change this habit. Commuters should always follow rules and not because the police is around," said DCP (Traffic) Manoj Patil. "We will continue with this measure for a few more days to see its impact. If it poves to be a success, we could implement it across the city," Patil said.

The campaign that started on Wednesday is being carried on with the help of volunteers of Save Pune Traffic Movement (SPTM) and has already trapping over 100 commuters for stopping ahead of the stop line at red signals.

"We are asking the police to keep a low profile around traffic signals. The police will come into the picture only when someone violates the rules. Since Wednesday, the cops have fined 50 commuters per day for flouting the red light," said Harshad Abyankar, a volunteer with the SPTM.

The squads consisting of traffic cops and SPTM volunteers are keeping a watch at Kothurd, he said. "We want the commuters to feel that 'even if I cannot see the police, the police can see me'," Abhyankar said.

"We want the city commuters to perfect one traffic rule at a time. The first rule, which we are implementing through the drive is to ensure that everyone stops correctly at the stop line at the red light," Abhyankar said.

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