Only 400 policemen tackling city’s daily traffic gridlock

 

 

While the city is witnessing chaotic traffic jams and a series of fatal road accidents, the Nagpur Traffic Police are struggling to enforce the law due to a shortage of manpower. To manage the second capital of Maharashtra, the Traffic Police have been allocated just 740 traffic personnel, of which 159 positions are currently vacant. This information came to light in an application filed by Adv Rohit Badana under the Right to Information (RTI) from the city police. With 159 vacant positions, the Traffic Police have only 581 police personnel available to manage the traffic at the busy junctions of Nagpur. A retired police official explained the daily manpower management, stating that of 581 police personnel, 83 personnel are on weekly off each day.

 

This means approximately 500 police personnel are available daily for managing traffic in the city. Due to VIP movements, many traffic police personnel are deployed on the roads for these purposes. The official mentioned that out of these 500 personnel, many are working at the offices of DCP Traffic, ACP Traffic, Police Inspector, and some are drivers. Therefore, only around 400 police personnel remain available each day specifically for managing traffic in the city. “Nagpur city is witnessing unprecedented traffic jams and a series of road accidents.

 

Along with poor road conditions and rash driving, the shortage of traffic police personnel is also a reason behind these accidents and traffic jams,” the official stated. Adv Badana commented that the number of traffic police personnel should be increased to 1,500, considering the city’s population of around 40 lakh citizens. He suggested increasing the deployment of traffic police personnel during peak hours from 9.30 am to 11.30 am and 5 pm to 8 pm at busy junctions.