CCTVs in 270 identified locations to detect traffic violations
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Traffic Cell of Goa Police has identified 270 locations across the state for installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to detect traffic violations. In the first phase CCTVs were installed at some major traffic junctions in Panjim and Margao.
Superintendent of Police (traffic) Vijay Singh said on an average the cell issues 100 challans to traffic rules violators with the help of hi-tech CCTV cameras, in a day.
“The challans are posted to the residential addresses of the traffic offenders after personnel at the traffic control room, observe violations,” he said.
The officer informed that the PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras will soon be set up at nine other locations including on the Mandovi bridge, CCP market, Kala Academy junction among other places under the second phase.
“This system will improve traffic safety and reduce traffic violations,” Singh said.
The installation of CCTVs will help the department cope with the staff shortage it is currently facing. The officer said due to the staff crunch, manning traffic on busy roads and enforcing stricter rules is becoming increasingly difficult.
The traffic cell has a staff strength of 342 as against 497 sanctioned. Around 100 personnel from the cell were recently transferred to other police stations without being replaced so far.
The traffic cell has registered a fall in accident rates in Goa. From January till July 30, 2013, 140 fatal accidents were registered by them as against 161 reported during the same period in the previous year. Grievous accidents too declined from 216 cases registered last year to 206 this year, till date.
The number of non-grievous accidents has shown a marginal rise at 2445 accidents from January till July 30, 2013, compared to 2415 during the same period in 2012.
To solve the serious shortage of parking space in the capital city that takes in around 75,000 vehicles every day, the cell in consultation with the Corporation of City of Panjim is planning to begin pay parking in certain areas such as 18th June road, municipal market stretch and other places.
The department has collected an amount of Rs 1.59 crore traffic fines from January to July 30, 2013 more than the last year during the same period.
