This year, expect syncronised signals and more cameras for traffic monitoring, says Praveen Sood, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). A 1986 batch IPS officer, Sood took charge of Bangalore traffic police in 2008. Prior to that, he had served in various postings across the state and was awarded the President’s award for meritorious service in 2002. He has constantly emphasised on improving traffic behaviour of road users to better the city’s traffic situation. In this exclusive interview with Citizen Matters, Sood talks about new plans, limitations and ideas for better traffic management.
What are the critical projects you are implementing in the new year?
Praveen Sood. Pic: Navya P K.
The focus for 2011 will be installing cameras for traffic monitoring and improving the signal system. We have 180 cameras installed across the city now, and are hoping to add 50 more this year. This is getting delayed because of Metro and flyover works, once these works are complete cameras will be installed.
HSR 14th cross, Kadubisnahalli, Devarabisnahalli, Mahadevpura, Hennur junction, Veeranapalya, Bhadrappa layout, BEL, Kuvempu junction and Kammanahalli junction. These will make commute to airport easier through Outer Ring Road.
About signals, the number of signals will come down, as around 10 new flyovers will be opened this year Also the first reach of Metro is going to be ready soon and the Jayanagar – City Market reach will be launched by end of this year.
We are also planning better training of policemen and better participative management of traffic with public – for this we will continue the programmes in schools and colleges to create awareness. The new TMC (Traffic Management Centre) will be complete soon. The Traffic Training and Road Safety Institute – wherein any interested road user can get training – will open by the end of the year.
We are also looking at new technology, but technology will work only with good infrastructure. We are planning to synchronise signals in at least 20 corridors and make all signals vehicle-actuated. In this system, sensors are installed on roads at signals, to detect vehicles. The traffic signal will change according to the volume of vehicles detected. We had tried this earlier, but it did not work. For this, roads should be the kind that last for 4-5 years. So depending on quality of works, new technology will be introduced.
If there is one critical thing you’d like funding for – in the traffic & transport space, what would it be?
Funds are not a problem -for completing the traffic management and training centres we might need funds.
How should the government manage malls from traffic and planning perspective?
All malls are located at strategic corners, busy areas, of the city. You cannot stop them from coming up – they are there because of the demand. But they should be well-managed with a scientific entry and exit system. Though malls make parking provisions for private vehicles, many people come in autos. There is no provision for autos to park. We will try to convince malls or the government to make auto parking an integral part of malls. Malls should take responsibility for this. Why not incorporate a bus bay also in the design of mall?
What are the top offences you will try to tackle this year?
There will be more, stricter enforcement this year – drunken drinking, over speeding and lane discipline will be the top offences to tackle.
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Mr Sood, in addition to installing cameras on roads to catch traffic violators, could you also install video and voice recorders in traffic police stations, to bring in transparency and reduce the rampant corruption? Thank you.
Good to hear about the initiatives. I do hope they will crack down on rash driving and lane discipline issues as promised!
Instead of installing cameras why not install barricades along each footpath and allow entry and exit in properly constructed pedestrian crossing so taht people can cross in an orderly manner without blocking traffic. Bangalore public do not have much civic sense at the same time there are not ehough walkways and pedestrian crosses. Fix these basic stuff fist and then fix the rest. All people including pedestrians pay taxes so make it easy for them as well as vehicle owners. Elderly are treated in the most shabby manner in India.
I rember to have read about a year back
that all road humps would be removed.
What happened?.In all the wards/residential locatios the tar dumplings are being laid even now .these are not only accident creating/
and invisible from a distance makes driving a bane.Recent accident on kasturba marg should be an eye opener to BBMP and traffic police.Can not BBMP instruct their contractors STRICTLY not to erect such road humps?
Perhaps the officals are enjoying when the government is in turmoil.
LET CITY ROADS LOOK SMART!!
Bsk 3rd stage, main road where number of buses ply, now connected through a new bridge to Ring road-with difficulty we got lanes marked by BBMP, but one lane on each side is mostly occupied by vehicles parked day long. BTP had sometime back put up boards for parking on alternate days on each side, these have been either defaced or removed. It is now absolutely necessary to introduce them for entire length of this main road and strict implimentation by Task force of BTp.
I want to complain about the traffic cops in my locality…can anyone help me where to complain or whom should I contact…I also want the email ID of Mr. Praveen Sood…plzz reply