600 pedestrians challaned in new drive against jaywalking

NEW DELHI: Around 600 people were challaned for jaywalking in the capital in the past three days as part of a new drive by Delhi Traffic Police.
A total of 582 pedestrians were fined Rs 50 each from Thursday during the drive at six locations -- ITO, Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Africa Avenue and Bhogal.
233 jaywalkers were prosecuted on Thursday while 195 were challaned on Friday.Yesterday, the figure was 154.
"We have selected places where good foot overbridges exist for crossing the roads. Those who do not use these and crossed the road while traffic was on were prosecuted," a senior police official said.
Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said he "resisted" prosecuting jay walkers endangering their own lives for nearly two years.
"I was convinced if pedestrians are unsafe basic reason is we have not provided enough facilities for them. Footpaths are either not there or are encroached as car parking or by hawkers. Foot over bridges are non-existent or not usable.
"Underpasses are unsafe or badly lit for safety. What is sad even where there are reasonably good facilities people are not using it. The other day we started scheme to motivate people to use FOBs by giving lucky coupons with cash awards. Now we have started prosecuting jaywalkers," he said.