Journalism of Courage
The traffic control branch of Pune city police conducted a review of road digging activities in its jurisdiction during the last week and stopped those works which were going on without its permission.’
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Sarang Awad said, “We took a review of all digging works in the city. The work going on without seeking necessary permissions was stopped.”
Traffic police also took action against the road digging work that had permission but was not completed in the stipulated time span. DCP Awad said that No Objection Certificates (NOC) are sought from the traffic police for the road digging works. “In case of violation of conditions of NOC, we take action against the persons responsible for it,” he said.
The traffic police recently lodged an offence against a private party at Yerwada police station for violation of norms laid down for road digging.
There are two types of works for which road digging is needed. First is the works carried out by the PMC through its departments while the second involves private companies for which the PMC issues NOCs.
While issuing these NOCs, the PMC asks the companies to pay the ‘restoration charges’, which the PMC uses for restoration of the road infrastructure. In all these cases, NOCs are sought from the traffic police as well.
According to the traffic police, the delay in the restoration process – laying of cables and pipelines causes traffic congestion and accidents.
