Top cop: Find local solutions to curb accidents in high-risk zones
Times of India | 28 January 2025
Kolkata: Commissioner of police Manoj Verma directed OCs of traffic guards to develop localised solutions to curb accidents, particularly in areas with high fatality rates along major thoroughfares, including Basanti Highway, Bypass, APC Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, and CR Avenue. The initiative comes in response to approximately 30 fatal accidents recorded since Dec.
Verma instructed OCs to collaborate with agencies like Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), and West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) to inspect accident-prone locations and implement area-specific solutions.
During a recent meeting at Lalbazar police headquarters attended by senior traffic officials, including additional police commissioner (traffic) Shubhankar Sinha Sarkar and joint commissioner (traffic) Rupesh Kumar, Verma emphasised the need for practical, ground-level interventions rather than time-consuming top-down approaches.
The senior traffic officers identified several areas, including Jorabagan, port, Ultadanga, Tiljala, Bhangar, and Thakurpukur, as high-risk zones for accidents. Major roads like EM Bypass, Diamond Harbour Road, and MG Road have been designated as "black spots", requiring enhanced surveillance.
Recent fatal accidents on MG Road and Jadavpur 8B bus stand, resulting in the death of two women, have worried the authorities. Verma stressed the importance of sustained awareness programmes targeting bus owners, labour unions, and pedestrians to prevent such incidents.
In a significant policy shift, OCs are now required to personally visit accident sites and submit detailed prevention reports to Lalbazar. The police department is collaborating with experts from IIT Kharagpur and Jadavpur University to conduct comprehensive safety studies at accident-prone locations.
The initiative includes technical improvements such as better road engineering, enhanced illumination, proper lane marking, and addressing infrastructure issues like damaged road surfaces and tram track maintenance. OCs are expected to consider both engineering and enforcement aspects while conducting site visits.
A Traffic Safety Committee, comprising OCs and personnel from various traffic department wings, has been established to implement these recommendations. The committee's scope includes organising special checkpoints, conducting training sessions, and coordinating with road marking and planning divisions for necessary modifications.
The comprehensive approach aims to address multiple factors contributing to accidents, with a focus on two-wheeler safety, as most victims were motorcycle riders. The police department emphasises that this initiative requires continuous monitoring and adaptation of strategies based on local needs and conditions.