27 May 2022  |   06:55am IST

Mumbai police directive to cops not to harass commuters, unlikely to influence Goa

Mumbai Commissioner issues circular saying traffic police will not inspect cars as it slows traffic; Only ensure smooth traffic; Goa traffic cops say fines are needed to check rule breakers

Team Herald

PANJIM: Commissioner of Police of Mumbai, Hemant Nagrale issued a fresh circular to the traffic department, which states that the traffic police are neither permitted to harass someone by stopping them needlessly nor are they permitted to inspect cars unnecessarily. According to the circular, "traffic police will not inspect cars, especially when there is a checkpoint; they will merely monitor traffic and focus on ensuring that traffic goes regularly. They will only halt a car if it is slowing down traffic."

Meanwhile, many locals have complained that traffic police in Goa, are seen issuing challans and checking for documents, even if there is no violation of traffic rules. Recently, a video went viral on social media where tourists were seen cruising the traffic police for being harassed. Team Herald spoke to several people including the tourists about what they feel about this.

A tourist from Mumbai, Abhijeet said that he was once harassed while he was commuting from Calangute to Panjim, he claimed to have broken no rules and had all the documents of the vehicle was perfect but he was stopped and asked too many questions. 

Another tourist from Chandigarh, on the other hand, said there is no harassment while commuting in Goa by the police. They catch you if you don’t obey the laws.

When contacted, Panjim Traffic PI, Brendon D’Souza said, “We are not harassing any tourists or Goan. We stop only those who are violating traffic laws. We hardly ask anyone for any documents because nowadays we get all the documents online when we enter the vehicle number. There is no question of harassment or torturing tourists.”

Shrikrishna Sawant, a local, believes that the pillion rider should use a helmet but if in case he fails to do so, the traffic police instead of charging hefty fines should warn and inform the pillion rider about the importance of a headgear. 

PI D'Souza said that the traffic police are continuously conducting the awareness programmes across the State in the form of presentations at schools, and industries, among drivers of local and Kadamba transport, motorcycle pilots to create awareness about the need to follow the traffic rules.

Reacting to the hefty fines being imposed, PI said it is important to fine those who break the traffic rules. Mere awareness and warnings do not help unless the fine is imposed. 

Shania Silveira believes that the awareness drive should be implemented because the police telling people will have a greater effect.