Kolkata: New step to put buses under lens

KOLKATA: Traffic cops are consulting with the detective department to develop a standard operating procedure, by which all drink driving and rash driving cases lead to temporary suspension of licences.
The local traffic control room (TCR) and Lalbazar control room will also use modern technology to identify the buses breaking rules like overtaking and blocking bus channels.Local guards will be asked to take stringent actions against them. This move comes for the areas where traffic sergeants are not stationed.
On Monday, cops from 25 traffic guards and senior officers at Lalbazar discussed to find ways to curb fatal accidents, especially those involving buses. “Commissioner Anuj Sharma asked us to take steps to control accidents. We discussed all possible steps that can be taken,” said a police officer.
In addition, police have identified certain black spots at Shyambazar, BT Road, Ultadanga and several other stretches under the South guard, where introducing road furniture is a must to stop bus accidents. “This will include setting up bumble strips.
In several cases, roles of the bus conductor and the pedestrian are as questionable as that of the driver, said the police, adding that the black spots are among the city’s worst performing zones.
“Maximum accidents happen when motorists try to overtake the buses blocking or stopping in the middle of the road,” said a police officer. However, cops will urge Kolkata Municipal Corporation to block open spaces that will channelize pedestrian flow at the crossings.
Cops have cited certain examples to substantiate their point. There have been several accidents in the past on either side of Howrah Bridge’s approach road where the victims had tried to board a bus with luggage and fell down after losing balance.
At Maniktala, Bagmari and Ultadanga, pedestrians block roads to board buses and meet with accidents.