After storm choked eway for 3 hours, Noida DCP served a notice, ACP suspended

Noida: Police commissioner Laxmi Singh on Saturday suspended ACP (traffic) Pawan Kumar and issued a show-cause notice to DCP (traffic) Lakhan Singh Yadav for lapses in traffic management.

Disciplinary actions were also initiated against one traffic inspector, two sub-inspectors, five head constables and four constables for negligence in duty.

While the details of the lapses that led to the disciplinary actions were not immediately clear, police sources indicated that traffic bottlenecks triggered by a sudden dust storm and rainfall earlier this week may have prompted the crackdown.

An official statement issued by the department, however, stated that the police commissioner had directed senior traffic officials to prepare a detailed traffic diversion plan and ensure deployment of personnel to manage congestion and encroachment across the city.

"Despite specific instructions, there has been non-compliance, resulting in recurring traffic mismanagement and lack of enforcement on the ground," the statement said. During a review meeting on Saturday, the police commissioner noted shortcomings in traffic control measures. "In response, disciplinary action has been initiated against the officials. A notice has been issued to DCP (traffic) seeking an explanation. The ACP (traffic) has been suspended and a letter has been sent to the police headquarters," it said.

A fierce storm that pounded the region on May 21 had led to widespread chaos, with commuters remaining stranded for nearly three hours in key stretches, including the Noida Expressway. A large electric pole that collapsed on the expressway around 9 pm, when wind speeds peaked to nearly 70 kmph, blocked the carriageway toward Greater Noida. Hundreds of people, mainly people headed home after work from Delhi and other NCR cities, were left stuck on the road for nearly 3 hours as traffic cops scrambled to clear the stretch.

Earlier, DCP (traffic) Lakhan Singh Yadav told TOI that the pole had completely blocked the carriageway.

"We deployed our two cranes and one hydraulic machine, but they weren't enough. Eventually, we brought in eight more hydraulic machines from private contractors. By 11.30pm, the pole was cut and removed," he said. Until the pole was removed, traffic was diverted to service lanes, and some commuters were guided to take a U-turn on the expressway.

The storm also uprooted nearly 200 trees and downed several streetlights and hoardings, bringing traffic to a standstill across key stretches of the twin cities.

In Greater Noida West, a large ‘welcome' signboard also collapsed between Gaur Chowk and Parthala Chowk. Although it did not block the road, traffic was brought to a standstill till late on Wednesday night. Adding to the chaos were damaged streetlights on the central verge of the busy stretch.