Parking, helmet drives: Cops focus on weekends

Kolkata: Even after 10 days of intense prosecution by Kolkata Traffic Police, where they prosecuted over 43,000 cases of helmetless driving and illegal parking, an analysis of several city areas has thrown up that general consciousness might take more time to develop.In fact, Lalbazar sources claimed, at several spots, a larger number of violations have been witnessed between the eighth and 10th days of the drive as compared to the first three days. Commissioner Ajay Nand and the brass at Lalbazar have now called for a sustained drive, especially concentrating on the bylanes, weekends and drives post 8 pm when violations are at the maximum. The South Traffic Guard reported 60 cases of illegal parking on May 9 and 232 on May 10 but 993 on May 16, a Saturday, when offices around Park Street are shut, and another 433 last Sunday. Headquarter Traffic Guard reported 204 violations regarding illegal parking on May 8 and 45 on May 9 but 533 on May 15 and 594 on May 16. Helmetless riding too has shown similar trends. The Headquarter Guard reported 95 violations on May 10, 80 on May 11 but 97 on May 16 and 120 on May 17. Jorabagan reported 46 such cases on May 8, 16 on May 9 and 14 on May 10. It reported 166 cases on May 16 and 125 on May 17. Given the statistics available, police said the main focus will be on the CBD, Burrabazar-Posta and the Camac Street-Minto Park areas. This follows minister Agnimitra Paul's announcement of strict monitoring to stop illegal parking. "No vehicles will be parked where parking is not permitted," she had said. In added areas, cops have been asked to focus on illegal garages and illegal truck parking. "Several vehicles get parked even off Bypass and DH Road," said a joint commissioner.