BANGALORE: If you see Traffic Police personnel clicking pictures on Bangalore Roads like tourists, beware. They are definitely not interested in the urban landscape but are busy capturing traffic violations committed by people.Following constant criticism on the effectiveness of surveillance cameras in recording anti-social activities and traffic violations, Bangalore Traffic police has now equipped their traffic personnel manning various junctions with digital cameras to record violations on the spot.Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Safety) Dr M A Saleem said, “A private company has sponsored the purchase of 350 cameras to record traffic violations. This is a transparent method of tracking violations on spot, which is followed by issuing notices to the offenders. We have registered about 1,20,000 cases since April 1 with the help of these cameras.”When City Express spoke to a few citizens, the reactions to this new initiative were positive. “Bangalore traffic department is taking initiatives to curb the increasing traffic violations, which is quite evident from the drive that has been conducted across the city. Of course, such drives are for the betterment of the city and it is good to see our traffic department so active,” said Amar K, who works with a BPO. On the other hand, Harish Kandelwal says, “As long as they are carrying a honest drive, it is welcome. But my question is, will it bring the real culprits out. We have to wait and watch.” Suma T, a lady traffic police constable of Kumaraswamy Layout, says “Initially we used to note down the numbers of the vehicles, but the notices served were futile as there was no proofs.”Currently, the traffic department has 180 surveillance cameras installed at important junctions in the city. There are plans to install 500 new CCTV cameras to monitor traffic violations and criminal activities on the streets of Bangalore.
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