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In a smart city, there is extra emphasis on a regulated traffic, as the stress is not just on movement but on safe movement of people from one place to another, says Muktesh Chander, Special Commissioner, Delhi Police (Traffic), in conversation with Gautam Debroy of Elets News Network (ENN).

How do you look upon the idea of having more and more smart cities in India?

There are two ways of making a city smart. A city can be created right from the scratch where every infrastructure raised is fresh. It would take lots of time and investment. Since the Independence, only a few modern cities have come up like Gandhinagar, Navi Mumbai, New Raipur, etc. However, the present government at the Centre wants to create lots of smart cities, but the picture is yet to be completely clear.

To me, smart cities are of two kinds — existing and old cities, which can be retrofitted to make those smarter; and of course the new ones, with a brand new infrastructure.

There must be fool-proof cyber security, apart from the physical security. In fact, a smart city must have a cyber security unit to counter all possible threats by hackers. We have seen in many countries how the cyber attackers hack the entire system, and thus create a chaos.

There must be fool-proof cyber security, apart from the physical security. In fact, a smart city must have a cyber security unit to counter all possible threats by hackers. We have seen in many countries how the cyber attackers hack the entire system, and thus create a chaos.

What should be the role of traffic management authorities, basically the traffic police?

In a smart city, there is extra emphasis on regulated traffic. When we talk about traffic, two things clearly come to our mind, i.e. mobility and safety. In such cities, people must be able to move from one place to another with safety.

In fact, we (Delhi Traffic Police) have launched our own helpline on Whatsapp, which has been running very successfully, and a large number of general public have contacted us sending as many as 79,837 messages using the helpline. We encourage people to use the Delhi Traffic Police’s Whatsapp helpline number to complain about any traffic-related issues, like traffic violation, unauthorised parking, overcharging or misbehavior by auto and taxi, faulty traffic signals or any other issue related to traffic.

Also Read: Governance Going Mobile

The vision of a smart city should be zero human casualties. There must be proper roads, flyover, footpaths, etc. Every component of a smarty city should be formulated in such a manner that there are zero accidents. A smart city must also have a good signaling system, because it plays a major role in traffic management.

How do you tackle the incidents of traffic violations?

For repeated traffic violations like drunken driving, rash driving, over speeding, etc., driving licences of the violators are liable to be suspended and cancelled under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. In order to have a deterrent effect on repeat traffic offenders, more than 4,000 driving licences have been suspended by the Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi and the courts of Metropolitan Magistrates in the NCT of Delhi.

Also, in order to facilitate compounding of pending notice issued for traffic violations, the Delhi Traffic Police has created a facility wherein a Traffic Police Challaning Officer with eChallan machine can receive the payment in cash for compounding the notice. The notices are issued under Section 133 of the Motor Vehicles Act for the various traffic violations committed by the road users.

At present, one is required to deposit the compounding amount at the seven Cash Collection Centres located in different parts of Delhi. However, now instead of going to any such Centre, one can contact the nearest Traffic Police Challaning Officer having E-challan machine for compounding the notice. The officer will accept the compounding amount in cash and a printed receipt of the payment containing all the details will be given to the person upon signing the receipt. Henceforth, the pending notices can be compounded with any Challaning Officer of the Delhi Traffic Police anytime and anywhere in Delhi on all the seven days of the week.

So, you suggest that licences of more than three time traffic violators should be cancelled?

Yes, we are doing this. If a person is found violating traffic rules more than two times, then we suggest that his or her traffic license should be cancelled. In fact, the amended Motor Vehicles Act has such process where a person could lose the license, but we have to implement it.

How tough or easy you find it is to enforce the traffic rules?

It is really tough. In fact, we have to fight for this. We have to use special cameras to identify and nab the traffic violators. We have to look after the parking facilities as well. Enforcing discipline in Delhi is very difficult. Every year, more than 45 lakh drivers are prosecuted for violating traffic rules.

Incidentally, starting this summer, the Delhi Traffic Police will be organising five-day road safety awareness summer camps for the school children, free of cost, with a view to inculcate good road safety habits in them. The objective is to help children and students utilise their holidays meaningfully and enable them to learn road safety skills in an enjoyable manner, which will have a bearing on their personality in the years to come.

The programme will also focus on the risks of driving by minors, which is increasing in Delhi. The participants will be provided daily complimentary refreshments. On the last day, they will be awarded participation certificates. Interesting activities, such as awareness about road safety rules, traffic signs, road markings, film shows, street plays, first aid, etc., will also be organised. Road safety literature, calendars, caps and other gifts will be provided to the participants. The five-day camps will be conducted from May 18 up to June 26.

Also Read: M-Factor in Governance

How do you see the role of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in traffic management?

ICT plays a crucial role in all government departments. As for the Traffic Department, it is extremely relevant. With all the modern apps and smart phones around us, we can have online solutions to most of the day- to-day hassles.

More than 3,000 CCTV cameras have been installed by the government in Delhi. A large number of cameras have been installed by the government agencies. Even businessmen across Delhi have installed these cameras in large numbers.

Although substantial success has been achieved on this front, for a city of the size of Delhi, we need more and more surveillance cameras. In fact, the educational institutions should also install the CCTV cameras.

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