Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Oct 2: Traffic Warden Squad (TWS), the commendable initiative led by 94-year-old Joe Gonsalves to ease traffic problem in the city, was flagged off by bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, followed by a march from Hampankatta junction to the police commissioner's office here on Friday October 2.
Thereafter, at a formal function at the commissioner's office, Dr Habeeb Rahman, chairman and medical director of Unity Health Complex addressing the gathering said, "Today is a great occasion, as we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who gave us the good weapon of 'ahimsa' (non-violence). Joe Gonsalves is a very good friend of mine. Wherever there is a problem he is there to help. I wish this Traffic Warden Squad helps to solve the traffic problem in the city. I congratulate Joe and his team and wish them all success."
Joe Gonsalves said, "There has been a sharp increase in the number of road accidents. One criticises, yells, but my approach is different. We should not be a fault-finding machine, rather should be fact-finding machine. I have got great support from the police commissioner, ACP and other officials of traffic department in making this initiative successful. I have also got a lot of support from institutions like Milagres College, St Aloysius Technical Training Institute, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, St Joseph's College, Jeppu and St Agnes College in gathering the required human resource. I thank each and everyone for their support and cooperation."
Police commissioner S Murugan said, "Today is a great day for all of us as we are celebrating the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. The life of Mahatma Gandhi is an example to all of us. His sincerity, discipline and punctuality are a lesson to us and we need to follow them in our day-to-day life. I congratulate all the members of the Traffic Warden Squad on taking up this task. It is not a new concept, it was in practice in Bengaluru and Mysuru, and identifying its success, the government has given permission to Mangaluru to start this service.
"Discipline cannot be maintained by one policeman or the department. It is a joint effort and public also needs to cooperate with the department to maintain discipline in the society. Traffic Warden Squad members are policemen in a different uniform. I acknowledge the support given by various educational institutions and especially Joe Gonsalves, without whose support this would not have been possible. I wish all success to TWS and hope that what has begun as a plant, grows into a big tree and spreads its branches all over," he added.
Rajavarma Ballal, chairman of Canara bus operator's association, K M Shantaraju and Dr Sanjeev M Patil, deputy commissioners of police were the others on the dais.
About Traffic Warden Squad (TWS)
TWS will have Joe Gonsalves as chief traffic warden, and Alan, Deenath D'Sa, Nelson and O D'Cunha as deputy chief traffic wardens. There will be around 30 traffic wardens and the squad would be enhanced eventually if necessary. The chief traffic warden would be working with ACP (traffic). Traffic police officials like Mohan Kotary, Suresh Kumar, Manjunath, Shivaprakash and other officials of the traffic department will coordinate with the squad to ensure implementation of traffic rules.
The organisation is set up with the following aims and objectives:
- To make vehicle drivers aware of their responsibilities in respect of road rules
- To conduct road safety and traffic education campaigns in collaboration with the traffic police for the benefit of motorists, pedestrians and school children
- To assist the traffic police in directing and regulating the vehicular and pedestrian traffic, whenever requested upon to do so
- To collect or formulate suggestions for improvement of traffic and forward the same to the higher authorities
- To report traffic violations, whenever noticed, to the traffic police
- To assist the traffic police department in any other activities like organising special drives.
- To organise traffic education campaigns and traffic training camps for school children in association with the traffic police.
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