Who all can use beacons? Traffic cops to get list

When the vehicle was finally intercepted,it was found to belong to a Deputy Superintendent of State Excise who was not authorised to use a beacon. “The official was not entitled to use a beacon on the vehicle. It has been noticed that traffic constables are usually intimidated on seeing vehicles beacons on them,and owing to their ignorance about which officials are authorised to travel in such vehicles,they do not even stop them for checks. This is a serious security hazard,as terrorists or other criminal elements may attempt to infiltrate restricted areas in such vehicles,like in the case of the 2001 Parliament attack,” said a top Mumbai Police officer,who did not wish to be named. “The traffic constables have now been instructed to familiarise themselves with the list of Central and state ministers,judges,magistrates,lawyers,and government officials who are authorised to travel in vehicles sporting red or amber beacons. If necessary,they have been asked to carry around the list with them for ready reference,” said the officer.

“There is a government resolution (GR) detailing which officials are allowed the use of amber or red beacons,and traffic constables have been instructed to check that no unauthorised vehicles use beacons in the city,” confirmed Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Brijesh Singh. According to the recent GR,around 130 officials have been authorised to travel in vehicles with beacons on them,sources said.