Traders offer cash for cops

The Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) met Surat police and asked them to hasten traffic recruitment,complaining that the markets were plagued by traffic problems.

The association,in a meeting with joint police commissioner E Radhakrishna,offered to pay the salaries of the new appointees.

The FOSTTA and the police both agreed that recruitment needed to be hastened,and the modalities of salary payments from the traders’ association are being worked out.

Sources said there are more than 140 textile markets associated with FOSTTA. It has been proposed that traffic brigades,under Surat police supervision,will be posted outside the markets at the main gate and they will direct vehicle owners to park properly. Police officials will intervene if instructions are not followed.

FOSTTA senior member Manoj Agrawal said,“Tempo drivers park their vehicles on the main road and unload the finished and unfinished dress materials on the road. Antisocial elements take advantage of traffic chaos and steal fabric. Security guards posted in the markets have failed to control the nuisance as they are not trained. With this initiative,we expect the problems will be resolved.”

FOSTTA president Shree Kishan Banka said,“We have talked with the presidents of associations of different markets and they agreed to pay salaries of traffic brigades. Foothpaths are now encroached by pan shops and tea stalls. We had complained to the concerned authorities earlier. We welcome the decision of police on this issue.”

Joint police commissioner Range-1 E Radhakrishna said,“We have put forward the idea to the delegates of FOSTTA to control the traffic problems. The matter is still in the pipeline. Car owners and tempo drivers have been repeatedly advised to park at proper junctions,but they do not listen. There are over 600 traffic brigades at traffic junctions in the city and the new recruitments will add to the strength.”