Bengaluru’s traffic cops are too few to manage its roads, here’s why

by January 12, 2020 Governance
Bengaluru has only 4,638 traffic cops for its vehicle population of over 80 lakhs. This means not just poor traffic management, but also difficult working conditions for the constables manning our roads

Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) is facing a personnel crunch. The city only has 4,638 traffic police personnel for a vehicle population of over 80 lakhs.

As per a 2015 report of the Home Ministry’s Bureau of Police Research and Development, there should be one traffic police personnel for every 700 vehicles. By that yardstick, Bengaluru has a traffic cop shortage of almost 54 percent.

In addition to the challenges in managing traffic, this also means difficult working conditions for the constables who man our roads. Imagine standing eight hours in Bengaluru traffic, not following a regular timetable of shifts, with weekly offs not always available – and all the health problems that come with it.

BTP does use technology to bridge its manpower shortage – its Traffic Management Centre (TMC), CCTVs, automatic red light violation detectors, and so on. But technology cannot substitute for manpower shortage, experts say.

Read more:

Bengaluru’s traffic cop shortage: Can technology, mannequins bridge the gap?

Technology helps, but not enough cops to manage Bengaluru’s traffic: Former police chief

The thankless job of a traffic cop on Outer Ring Road

Sections:

About Manasi Paresh Kumar

Manasi Paresh Kumar was Engagement Editor for Bengaluru Citizen Matters.
Read more by Manasi Paresh Kumar

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Maharashtra elections 2024: What do political parties promise for Mumbai in their manifestos?

by November 18, 2024 Governance
Political parties have tried hard to woo their voters before assembly elections. We analyse their manifestos ahead of voting on November 20.

The 2024 Maharashtra election is not just a crucial determiner for the State but also for Mumbai. This is because it comes at a time when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been disbanded, leaving citizens without corporators to represent their concerns for the past two years. With no local representation, it isn't surprising that many candidates have released their individual manifestos, outlining the work they plan to undertake in their constituencies within the city. But do these manifestos address the challenges Mumbai is facing right now? The city has been struggling with a myriad of issues — huge gaps…

Continue reading

Similar Story

Mumbai voters, check out the candidates from your constituency

by November 18, 2024 Governance
As Mumbai prepares to vote on November 20th, a handy list of all the city constituencies and candidate profiles in each of these

Table of contentsName of constituency: Borivali (AC 152)Incumbent MLA : Sunil Dattatraya Rane (BJP)2019 resultsConstituency summaryContesting candidates in 2024Name of constituency: Dahisar (AC 153)Incumbent MLA: Chaudhary Manisha Ashok (BJP)2019 resultsConstituency SummaryContesting candidates in 2024Name of constituency: Magathane (154)Constituency analysisIncumbent MLA: Prakash Rajaram Surve (SHS)2019 results:Contesting candidates in 2024Name of constituency: Mulund (155) Constituency analysis Incumbent MLA: Mihir Kotecha (BJP)2019 results: Contesting candidates in 2024Name of constituency: Vikhroli (156)Constituency analysis Incumbent MLA: Sunil Raut (SHS)2019 results:Contesting candidates in 2024Name of constituency: Bhandup West (157)Constituency Analysis Incumbent MLA: Ramesh Gajanan Korgaonkar (SHS)2019 results:Contesting candidates in 2024Name of constituency: Jogeshwari East (158) Constituency analysisIncumbent MLA:  Ravindra Dattaram Waikar (SHS)2019…

Continue reading