‘List of waterlogging-prone areas distributed among traffic divisions’: Mumbai traffic police chief Pravin Padwal

During the first few weeks of monsoon many roads, subways and important junctions witnessed heavy jams due to waterlogging. What measures are the traffic police taking to prevent this?

We have prepared a list of areas that witnessed waterlogging in the past five-years and distributed this list to all our traffic divisions. We ensure traffic police deployment on these points during heavy rains to assist motorists and minimise the impact of waterlogging on the traffic flow.

If the water level crosses the 2 mark, then we close the particular road with the help of barricades. We also inform motorists about the waterlogged areas through our Twitter handles, traffic police app and radio channels. Also, if a tree or its branch falls on the road then we inform BMC and manage to clear the road soon.

Potholes on city roads are a major concern. How many city roads are affected with potholes?

Our staff at the ground level very proactively collect information about the potholes, pass it on to the seniors and ward officer concerned and then we share it with the agencies concerned for repair work.

Before the monsoon, after the monsoon is on set and even now, we have been regularly giving the information of affected roads to the BMC, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and other agencies. Because of better coordination at all the levels, potholes are filled quickly.

With around 48 lakhs vehicles, have we reached that worst vehicle density level on our city roads?

Number of vehicles is increasing day by day and we have a limited length of roads. By the time the city gets new additional coastal roads, sea-links, metro rail network, the alternate solution to the current traffic jams problems would be maximum use of public transport, use car pooling and wherever possible change in office timings in areas where there are large number of offices.

Traffic jams outside many railway stations are problems that lakhs of commuters face everyday. What is being done?

We need to have additional infrastructure outside the stations. Non-availability of space for separate lanes for autos and taxis, space for passengers’ queues are problems. We have written to agencies concerned regarding congestion outside some stations.

How do you plan to tackle the problems of auto-rickshaw drivers misbehaving with passengers and refusing rides?

We take action against errant auto or taxi drivers who refuse fare, or overcharge, or misbehave… But as a major segment of auto-drivers is not well aware about the rules, we are thinking of conducting programmes to train them on motor vehicles rules.

Does jaywalking add to the woes of traffic policemen?

Yes. We have serious issues with jaywalking near Churchgate station and metro junction. I have written to ward officers concerned to put railings around the footpaths so that pedestrians don’t get an option to take the road. We also plan to take strict action against jaywalking very soon.

Do you think e-challan systems are effectively functioning?

Yes. On every road or at every traffic signal we cannot depute police for enforcement. So, the e-challan system is very effective. It will be enhanced after implementation of phase-2 of Mumbai City surveillance project. we will get more CCTVs cameras and those areas not covered under the existing network will also be covered.

What is the number of unpaid e-challans and how do you plan to recover them?

In 2022, total 51.34 lakh challans worth Rs 364 crore were issued and 65% challans are unpaid. This year we have issued 32.52 lakh challans worth Rs 232 crore and 71% are unpaid.

We have started seizing driving licenses of motorists if they do not promptly pay the e-challan. We will then issue a temporary license for 15-day period during which the person has to make the payment of all the e-challans or else we would submit the matter before the court and send the driving license for suspension or cancellation. During the initial stage of the drive, we would focus on those motorists who have long pending e-challans and commit violations which can cause accidents.

What action is being taken against illegal parking and double parking?

We are taking actions against wrong parking, double parking, corner parking, and illegal parking under flyovers… More public parking spaces are needed in the city.

Have incidents of attacks on on-duty traffic police personnel gone down?

Yes. We give soft skills training to our people at the induction level itself about how to behave with the motorists. Motorists should also behave properly with the traffic cops or else they would face strict action.

Do you think that by adopting more technological assistance (like artificial intelligence) in the functioning of traffic police, may help the department function more effectively?

BMC is already working on an advanced automatic signalling system. We have certain plans for upgrading our control room with new technologies. Our towing system is one of the best.