Explore Possibility Of Having Separate Traffic Police Cadre Or Increase Existing Force: Gujarat High Court Orally Tells State Govt

The Gujarat High Court on Friday (February 7) orally asked the state government to explore the possibility of a having a separate cadre of the Traffic Police Force in the state or increase the force in the main cadre while identifying them as traffic police. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi were hearing a suo motu PIL concerning Management of Traffic in Ahmedabad; filling up  vacancies in the establishment of the Traffic Police; addressing the issues of poor and inadequate road infrastructure in the City and the requirement of service roads. 

During the hearing the amicus curiae appointed in the matter, advocate PR Abhichandani, referred to the high court's earlier order and said that the court had raised certain issues regarding cadre for traffic police, had called for progress on appointments for filing up vacancies and the implementation of the Helmet rule; it had also asked the court's Registrar General to also submit a report about the implementation of the circular on the same.

The court at this stage addressed advocate general (AG) Kamal Trivedi appearing for the state and said, "You don't have a separate cadre for traffic police". To this the AG said, "I was discussing with the learned Government Pleader...we need to do something on that". He however said that there could be two possible issues that if a cadre is formed promotional avenues will be very less, and people also get fatigued after 50-55 years

At this stage the court while stating that it understands the concerns, orally said, "There is a via media. I suppose, it is there in Uttar Pradesh. People are sent on a rotational basis. There is a procedure for sending them on deputation and then rotating them. Civil police and traffic police are rotate...You don't have cadre, you don't have additional force...In your regular cadre, this main force, there will be a traffic police force. Then you will be evaluating your requirement and then sanction posts. Then from main cadre to this cadre you can send for three years. This arrangement I suppose is there in some of the states. If cadre is not there you will not be able to analyse as to how much force is actually needed. We are in shortage".

The AG said that they shall explore and get back on this point.

On the question of traffic management, the AG said, "We are doing all possible permutation and combination. I personally feel what comes in our way is the mindset of the people. We have put boards every where that 'you are not supposed to be parking over here'. Tried to see continuously for a month we apply the locks. For one month discipline is in place, but moment its relaxed it comes back to the same".

He also submitted that even if police force is increased, the police cannot be expected to be present at all times at one place. To this the court orally said, "then you cant relax stringent measures, continue", and the AG agreed.

Meanwhile on the implementation of the helmet rule, the amicus said that from the observations he has been able to gather, and that he has seen personally also that there has been implementation.

"More number of persons are wearing, efforts should be continued...if vigil is made for long it will become a habit," amicus said. The AG informed that resolutions have been issued in public corporations that anyone who is entering must wear helmets.

The court said that the implementation of this rule would require "concerted effort" orally adding that implementation for the high court "has been almost successful"

It further orally said, "Accidental deaths are very high....most unfortunate for families, that people are dying in accidents . It is a very serious issue".

The court also orally pointed to an issue on the road of Bodak dev, during the morning and evening time where certain people with motorcycles are being revved up noise is heard adding that something has to be done. The amicus said that news reports had pointed to this as well. The AG said that the checking has started and they will see that it will "become stricter".

Before parting the court orally said, "Also explore possibility of, if not a separate traffic police cadre, then in the main cadre increasing force while identifying them as traffic police". The court further asked the amicus to check for such "structures from other states" of traffic police cadre and their transfer. The AG said that the state shall also enquire into the same.

The matter is next listed on March 21.