In the recent reshuffle of police officials, Sanjay Ranjan Singh assumed the office of Superintendent of Police (Traffic) for the State capital. Talking to The Pioneer, he shared his plans of solving traffic hassles of Ranchi in a planned manner as well as some steps to present traffic police in a friendlier picture before the society.
“Things which are in practice since long will be assessed for their execution and impact. First and foremost, focus will be on checking rash and negligent driving. Stunt-performing biker groups will be stopped. Awareness camps to encourage use of helmet will be conducted in collaboration with government and private school,” said Singh.
Plans to use means of mass media for smooth traffic will also be in place soon. “Talks will be initiated with authorities of Doordarshan and All India Radio to air awareness messages in the form of catchy jingles in local dialect along with real-time traffic updates. We will take these jingles from schoolchildren in the form of slogan writing competition,” added the Traffic SP.
Raahgiri Day, the joint initiative of Ranchi traffic police, Ranchi Municipal Corporation and several non-government organisations, also features in his agenda. “There have been certain incidents of eve-teasing and misbehaviour reported during Raahgiri. We will deploy some of our men in civil clothes to watch out for such disturbing elements and stern action will be taken against them,” Singh said.
We will try our level best to lift our image, said Singh.
“Attention will be on the welfare and turnout of police personnel on traffic duty. We will consult State police headquarters to make changes in the uniform of our traffic cops for more comfort. As public toilets are not easily available in the city and our forces in field also include women, possibility of making lavatories in malls and complexes available to them will be explored,” he added.
Non-government organisations and social bodies will be roped in to sensitise them and encourage them to conduct regular health camps for traffic jawans.Singh further said, “I will brief the traffic police personnel shortly, where they will be instructed to keep away from any sort of addiction during duty hours as eating tobacco or smoking in public presents the department in a bad picture. We will make sure that our men are equipped with masks and required modern gadgets.”
Bringing in common people to manage traffic is another novel idea for Ranchi that Singh plans to introduce during his tenure as the city’s Traffic SP. “We are trying to involve some volunteers who will regulate traffic with our traffic policemen. The one with the best performance from these volunteers or traffic police personnel will be identified and awarded on public platform,” he stated.
On preparations for oncoming Shravani Mela, Singh said, “Traffic officials will visit Pahari Mandir to chalk out the best plans to regulate traffic in a hassle-free manner. Moreover, to present a humane face, we will set up a counter during the auspicious month, offering flowers, bel leaves and ritual items to devotees.”