Traffic goes haywire, thanks to byelection

RANCHI: Chaos prevailed at many places in city as people were seen breaking traffic rules conveniently because of absence of policemen. Nobody bothered to follow the traffic rules or signals and many accidents were nearly avoided as cars and bikes were seen racing from all directions at various squares.
Manoj Singh, a senior citizen, said, "I started driving the car as the signal became green but suddenly a young boy came from the opposite direction breaking the signal and almost hit my car. At least when the traffic policemen are around, people stop at the signal but today moving on the roads was very risky."
Another commuter Richa Verma said, "I was crossing the road when a man came on bike from the wrong side and hit me. Luckily I was not hurt much but the lack of traffic policemen on roads today has become a big problem."
The reason behind the absence of traffic policemen was the Hatia assembly bypoll for which the men in khaki were deployed on Tuesday. Traffic DSP RN Singh said, "We had to deploy some traffic policemen for the election as we were short of men but it is a matter of just one day. They will be back regulating the traffic from tomorrow."
Asked how the major roads of the city can be left without surveillance, Singh said, "We are patrolling the roads in jeeps but anyway the traffic is less compared to other days, so it is manageable."
Policemen can be seen patrolling the streets but it is of no use as they are not bothered to stop at the squares and maintain the traffic. Preeti, a pedestrian, said, "I did see police jeep on patrol but people were breaking the signal in front of them and nobody was doing anything. The day may be important for them (police), but leaving the major roads of the city unattended does not make sense."
Nobody bothered to follow the traffic rules or signals and many accidents were nearly avoided as cars and bikes were seen racing from all directions at various squares.