Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 4: The city police commissionerate is expected to draw up an action plan to end sale of cigarettes and other products near educational institutions and their consumption in public places. This was stated by city police commissioner, T R Suresh, when taking part in a phone-in programme recently.

In response to a point raised by one of the callers, the police commissioner said that plans are afoot to strictly enforce provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act in the city. He explained that as per the current plan, the department will earmark one hour each day for this drive. He told media persons that dates would be announced soon.

The commissioner's attention was drawn by a caller from the city who complained about smokers making merry in public places without having any concern for people standing nearby.

A caller from Panambur explained problems faced by motorists on account of numerous potholes dotting the national highway between the city and Udupi. Suresh, noting that maintaining of roads during rainy season is a big problem, promised to alert the authorities towards this problem.

Other issues which cropped up during the day were relating to excessive load in vehicles carrying school children and hoardings on airport road blocking view of drivers. One of the callers also pointed out that some shops in Hampankatta area were in the habit of blocking two-wheelers from parking their scooters opposite their shops by placing obstacles. There was also a complaint at encroachment of public space by a dealership in two-wheelers at Valencia.