mangalore today

Traffic Woes highlighted during Phone-in-programme


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 13,2016: The Mangaluru city phone-in programme on Dec 12,  Friday morning is a big draw now, most  complaints surprisingly  80% were about traffic issues.


traffic


In 18 weeks since it began, every Friday the Mangaluru city police receives complaints from the common man via phones between 10am to 11am. On an average, 20-25 callers air their grievances. "Majority of the complaints are related to city’s traffic woes. One common complaint which is about private buses not stopping at the designated bus stops," said M Chandra Sekhar, city police commissioner, Mangaluru.

The top cop commenced this unique programme aiming at listening to the common man’s problems, after he attended a phone-in-programme in the city.  "The programme made me realize that there are certain problems which are not at all addressed by the police or they are not taken into consideration since we (police) feel it’s not a major issue to be addressed by the police," the top cop said, adding that the initiative has received a positive response.


Asked about how do police followup the issues aired during the programmes, he said that complaints are forwarded to the assistant police commissioners and they are given 10 days time to address the issue and report about it. The problems not related to us are forwarded to other officials concerned.

However, one activist pointed out that though it was assured that due action will be taken without delay, it does not seem to happen - take for instance the issuing of tickets in private buses?  

He said the city police have convinced the MCC, Mangalore City Corporation to shift about eight bus stops in the central business area. In order to educate private bus drivers on safe driving, city police have also organized workshops.