Police work to put the roar back in rusting Bullets

Here was a time when the deep thud-thud of a Royal Enfield Bullet signalled the arrival on the scene of a Mumbai Police officer,the large bike and its stentorian roar adding to the charisma of the man in uniform.

Here was a time when the deep thud-thud of a Royal Enfield Bullet signalled the arrival on the scene of a Mumbai Police officer,the large bike and its stentorian roar adding to the charisma of the man in uniform.

Over time,however,the Bullet went gradually out of favour,as police officers came to prefer newer bikes such as the Bajaj Avenger. The MV department has now begun a drive to return the Bullet to the road repairing discarded bikes,and taking steps to ensure that officers keep them well and minimise chances of their breaking down.

Over 600 Bullets have been rusting at the MV Department for several years now. Some of these bikes,officers said,havent done even 50,000 km,having been junked after they developed minor problems.

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We learnt that these bikes could be repaired and made as good as new by spending as little as Rs 15,000,far less than what it would cost to buy a new bike, Atul Patil,deputy commissioner of police (MV Department),said.

The department sent mechanics to train with private companies,following which they were both keen on,and capable of,repairing the bikes,an officer said. Private companies made spare parts available to the police for a subsidized price, the officer said. After repairs,these bikes are now as good as new bikes.

Police officers said Bullets have their unique charm and cult following,which they were now trying to rekindle. MV Department officers said their mechanics were repairing up to seven bikes a week.

We will keep a record of the bikes maintenance. Once they are out on the streets,we will track them and ensure that police officers come to our mechanics regularly for service, said the officer.

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