Asish Mehta
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The capital city’s traffic cops are a harried lot as their belongings like umbrellas and helmets are reportedly being stolen due to lack of traffic aid posts.
A traffic constable posted in Infocity area alleged that helmets and umbrellas are being stolen since the traffic post does not have any place where they can keep their belongings which they use during the duty hours.
“Some traffic violators harbour a grudge against us since we impose fines on them. And when we are busy controlling the traffic, some miscreants steal our helmets and umbrellas which we usually keep on our two-wheelers,” he stated.
Another traffic constable alleged that the local police also prevent them from lodging complaints in this regard saying it would hit the image of the traffic police.
“When we approach the local police, they tell us not to lodge complaints of theft as it will hit the image of the police,” he pointed.
There are about 57 traffic posts in the city of which at least 12 are traffic aid posts.
Police sources said a couple of traffic aid posts are also lying damaged in the city. It is a matter of concern that several traffic aid posts are gathering dust on Puri-bypass road.
Bhubaneswar traffic assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Jatin Kumar Panda told Orissa POST that they didn’t have sufficient funds for establishment of more traffic aid posts in the city.
“In a joint venture, private firms and police had set up the existing traffic aid posts in the city. We don’t even have the funds now to repair the damaged traffic aid posts here,” Panda said.
The traffic ACP, however, stressed that traffic aid posts holds significance for the officials as they need a place to rest for a while when their shift changes.
