Challans for dropping off kids at schools, KP assures probe
Times of India | 22 February 2025
Kolkata: Following repeated conflicts over illegal parking between motorists and traffic sergeants near Park Street-AJC Bose Road, the DC Traffic office has requested for written communication from the complainants, most of them being parents of schoolkids. The disputes involved parents parking while dropping or picking up students appearing in the boards and the final exams at nearby schools.
The traffic department aims at addressing the grievances through formal written submissions, stating that the proactive role of cops was to keep the roads free for movement for the examinees. Interestingly, even regular office-goers in the area have complained of "unnecessary" fines by cops over the past week. Lalbazar has also promised to investigate individual cases to determine if the fines were necessary and legal.
The chain of events began after several motorists took to social media to register their complaints of being penalised for no "valid reason". Two of them even claimed cop highhandedness when they tried to argue their case with the policemen.
RK Singh, who said he went to drop his child for her boards in front of Apeejay School, Park Street, wrote on Kolkata Police ‘X' handle: "I dropped my daughter for the CBSE board exam at Apeejay School in Park Street. One sergeant took a photo of my vehicle and slapped me with a fine. After that, I requested him to understand my situation, but he argued with me. What is going on with traffic police? Please reply."
Another regular, Kamru Chowdhury, wrote: "My vehicle was prosecuted for illegal parking amounting to Rs 500, at J L Nehru Road-Sudder Street. Just 10m away, many two-wheelers were parked. This was then clearly a parking zone, please clarify."
"Please send your grievance with details via mail to dctp@kolkatatrafficpolice.gov.in. After due inquiry, necessary action will be initiated," the cops wrote back.
When contacted, the local East and South Traffic guards – along with Lalbazar – said instructions had come to check that there was no double-lane parking even at the parking lots. "We are stricter during the exam season. So we are keeping all crossings clean. This is being done regularly this month. While we are considerate to parents who come to drop their wards for board exams, we cannot allow one parent to block the road for others. We have video footage. If someone is unhappy, he is free to challenge our prosecution. We are hoping that every motorist will understand our exam time challenges and cooperate with us," said a senior officer at Lalbazar.
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