Delhi Police goes hi-tech but it is still time before they are installed

Friday, January 07, 2011

Police commissioner B K Gupta went to great lengths to explain the importance of modern communication and technology in detecting crimes in the city. "We have seen in the past few days in the case of the Dhaula Kuan gangrape and the spate of robberies in outer district how even CCTV footage can help crack cases. As a first step, we hope to complete the installation of the Intelligent Traffic System Network (ITSN) in a phased manner in the next two years,'' said Gupta. 

According to senior police officers, ITSN will span 265km of road length, covering 277 signalized junctions in the city. A total of 1,687 cameras will be installed along the route and there will be specific cameras to record specific breach of the law. "The plan is to install specialized cameras in such a manner that these record the movement of all offenders. While 52 will be used as enforcement cameras, 35 of the cameras will record traffic signal violations and 36 others on open stretches will record speed violations,'' said joint CP (traffic) Satyendra Garg. 

Top cop Gupta also talked about the installation of CCTVs at 29 major city markets in the next three months. "ECIL will complete this work by March. The project will cover 57 markets and 27 border points, and will be an essential tool to counter terrorism and street crime. This will also help us control traffic. The entire network will be monitored from C4i centre at the police headquarters. C4i proved its worth during the Commonwealth Games when it was the nerve centre of activity. Now it will connect us with the entire city,'' Gupta later told Times City. 

The automatic finger and palm print identification system has also been installed at all police stations. "Besides inkless and paperless collection of fingerprints, this process helps in instant identification of the criminal,'' said Gupta. The cops said a "Cyber Highway" will also be created. "This integrated data communication network will converge all services currently provided by Delhi Police on the net,'' said Gupta, adding that MHA has also approved for supply, installation and commissioning of Integrated Voice and Data Communication and Recording System to upgrade district and unit control room operations. 

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-Police-goes-hi-tech-but-it-is-still-time-before-they-are-installed/articleshow/7232391.cms

Cops see red over cars with unauthorized beacons

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011




Pretensions may not be uncommon in Delhi. But when they take on an official guise, the pretenders are criminals. With several recent cases of criminals using official logos on their cars and red beacon cars – including the most recent one involving two youths with 21 cases of robbery and snatching to their credit in northwest Delhi – Delhi Traffic Police have cracked down on unauthorized cars carrying red beacons and flashers.

On Tuesday and Wednesday alone, 27 people were prosecuted for carrying red beacons in their car without permission. Explained joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg, "We have already prosecuted 27 car owners from all parts of Delhi and will prosecute any vehicles unauthorized to carry the red beacon. No violators will be tolerated and the last two days' prosecutions reflect our resolve."

The drive, launched all over Delhi, is being carried out by over 400 traffic cops. "We have placed two teams each in many intersections in Delhi and are stopping cars to check whether they are authorized to carry the red beacon. The drive is being carried out by teams who are also checking for tinted glasses which takes place between 11am and 5pm," said JCP Garg.

The prosecutions so far include a car belonging to an MP, and those belonging to several MLAs, a transport commissioner of a north Indian state and many zila pramukhs and block presidents, claimed traffic cops. The prosecutions have so far been scattered in all parts of Delhi with no single region appearing to have the major number of unauthorized red beacon cars.

However, the car owners prosecuted don't appear cowed by the move at first, some even arguing that their vehicles are authorized. "We face different problems with different people. Some claim that they have gifted their cars to authorized people while some try to use political muscle in order to have their way. However, traffic cops have the list of authorized people with them so these claims will not be entertained. Strict policing is the only way to deal with the issue," said a traffic police officer.

Red beacon cars with flashers on the top are only allowed for the President of India, Vice-President, Prime Minister, former Presidents and prime ministers, deputy Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Cabinet Ministers of the Union, Judges of the Supreme Court, leaders of Opposition in the Rajya and Lok Sabha, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister among others while on duty anywhere in the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi. Red beacon without flashers on top is, meanwhile, allowed for Chief Election Commissioner, Comptroller and Auditor General of India among others.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-see-red-over-cars-with-unauthorized-beacons/articleshow/7226739.cms#ixzz1AET6PTfu

NDMC to restart CP redevelopment, chaos ahead

Monday, Jan 03, 2011




Expect traffic chaos on Connaught Place for at least next eight months from Tuesday as a civic agency is restarting its redevelopment work at the capital's commercial hotspot.

The redevelopment work at the Connaught Place is undertaken by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which has been allowed to do soft barricading which could lead to shrinkage of road space.

The redevelopment work of Connaught Place, including construction of remaining work of subways at Panchkuian Road, Barakhamba Road and service corridor in the middle circle and on Radial Roads, will start from Tuesday.

NDMC to restart CP redevelopment, chaos ahead

The NDMC had completed facade restoration and some other works in the CP redevelopment project before the Commonwealth Games in October last year.

"NDMC has been permitted to do soft barricading for the proposed redevelopment work. As a consequence, congestion is expected in and around Connaught Place from tomorrow," Sateyndra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said.

Redevelopment Plan of Connaught Place envisages minimum 240 days or eight months for construction of subways and middle circle work, he said.

There will be no parking available on middle circle and Radial Roads 2,3,4, and 7 during redevelopment work while there will be no movement of traffic in the middle circle of Connaught Place.

"People who can avoid coming to Connaught Place should avoid in view of the expected congestion and those coming here are advised to use Metro and other public transport for their own convenience," Garg said.

With the commencement of work, people will be able to enter inner circle through Radial No 1 at Janpath, Radial No 3 at Panchkuian Road, Radial No 4 State Entry Road and Radial No 6 in the vicinity of Shankar Market.

Traffic from inner circle will be able to come out from Radial No 1-A at Sansad Marg, Radial Road No 2 at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Radial Road No 5 at Minto Road and Radial Road No 7 at Barakhamba Road.

Radial Road No 3 and 4 for entry and Radial Road No 2 and 7 for exit will be partially available for traffic movement.

Original news source http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ndmc-to-restart-cp-redevelopment-chaos-ahead/139319-3.html

No Honking Day observed in noisy Capital

Monday, Jan 03, 2011




To generate awareness about noise pollution and against 'honking without reason', the first day of the new year was observed as 'No Honking Day' in the Capital. Members of The Earth Saviours Foundation, a non-government organisation, the Delhi traffic police and a private company organised a No Honking Campaign at the Janpath intersection by displaying banners, posters and putting up stickers on vehicles.

"Motorists start blowing horns without waiting for the signal to turn green or letting the traffic move on. They are not mindful of honking being prohibited at traffic signals and near hospitals, schools, religious places or residential complexes," said Ravi Kalra, founder president, The Earth Saviours Foundation.

"Vehicular honking in metropolitan cities has reached an alarming level; it contributes about 70% to noise pollution," Kalra said.

Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/No-Honking-Day-observed-in-noisy-Capital/Article1-645416.aspx

Delhi Police plans to name drunk drivers on its website

Monday, Jan 03, 2011


It could well be a 'Hall of Shame' on the website of Delhi Police if its plans to make public the names of those jailed for drunken driving in the national capital come through.

The move comes in the backdrop of its plan to clear the Delhi roads of traffic violators and educate people against the dangers of drunken driving.

"We are mulling the possibility of putting the names of those convicted for drunken driving on our website. We don't think that there could be any problem as it is a list of people who were jailed by courts," Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), told PTI.

Last year, over 10,800 people were fined for driving under the influence of alcohol. Out of this, driving licences of 580 were suspended while 710 people were imprisoned upto ten days.

In 2008, a total of 7,579 people were prosecuted for drunken driving while the next year saw a steep increase in challans on this front to 12,109. The figure in 2007 for the same offence was 3,748.

Police attributed this rise to its aggressive challan drive.

Delhi Police had in August moved a Delhi Court seeking its permission for allowing imprisonment in some cases of drunk driving.

Police attribute 40 per cent of the road accidents in the Capital to drunken driving. Over 1,900 fatal accidents have been reported in the capital this year.

On the New Year eve, police challaned 388 revellers for drunken driving.

"Those 388 prosecuted for drunken driving were instructed to appear before courts to face the penalty of possible jail term apart from suspension of driving licence and fines," he said.

Anybody found driving or attempting to drive a vehicle above the permissible limit of alcohol in the blood (30mg/100 ml) faces imprisonment upto six months or a Rs. 2,000 fine or both.

If it is a subsequent challan, the offenders may end up getting a jail term of upto two years or a fine of Rs. 3,000 or both.

Original news source http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/delhi-police-plans-to-name-drunk-drivers-on-its-website-76392

Cops play gentlemen: Drunk drivers sent home in cabs

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011




The Delhi Police went hammer and tongs after drunk drivers on Friday night. For the first time ever, the traffic police summoned violators to court instead of just letting them off with a nominal R100 fine.

"We prosecuted 484 persons for various traffic offences last night. While 388 people were booked for drink driving, the remaining were prosecuted for offences such as violation of Supreme Court guidelines, tinted glasses and defective number plates," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Garg said those apprehended for drunken driving were instructed to appear before courts, where they face the possibility of getting jail term besides having their licences suspended and being made to pay fines up to R2,000.

Also, this year, the traffic police booked twice the number of offenders as compared to 2009, when only 189 were challaned.

Owing to massive police deployment, Delhi roads remained fatal accident-free on New Year's eve. "We deployed around 500 traffic police motorcycles and 100-odd teams to check drink driving," Garg said.

The police said all 388 drivers appeared at various city courts on Saturday morning.

"Though all of those prosecuted last night appeared at a designated court on Saturday, most of them sought future dates for hearings," said Rajan Bhagat, spokesperson, Delhi Police.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACT CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1988, ABOUT 484 DRIVERS WERE PROSECUTED ON THE FIRST DAY OF NEW YEAR. When it came to dealing with drunk drivers, the traffic policemen were gentlemen first and officers later.

Around 88 commuters whose vehicles were impounded for drunk driving on Friday night were sent home in auto-rickshaws and radio cabs specially arranged for them by the traffic police officers.

"The Motor Vehicle Act (1988), under which they were prosecuted, also states that an alternative mode of transport should be provided to inebriated drivers if they are not accompanied by a `sober' driver. So we arranged auto-rickshaws and cabs for them," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

For the first time since the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) came into effect in 1988, more than 484 drivers were prosecuted for various traffic offences by being directed to appear in court on Saturday morning, instead of being let-off after a minor fine ranging from R100R600 on New Year's eve.

"Most of these prosecutions -114 -took place in the southern range. Around 108 drivers were fined in the northern range, while the western range saw 80 drivers being prosecuted," said a senior traffic police officer.

He said about 45 prosecutions in central and 30-odd in east Delhi made up the smallest chunk of those booked for violations ranging from tinted glasses to defective number plates.

"A driver who was reeking of alcohol requested me to sit beside him as he drove to gauge his driving skills, while a Delhi University student who seemed to be heavily drunk begged us to let him go because he was afraid his mother would get angry," the officer said.

More than 3,000 drivers have been prosecuted for various offences since the MVA was more rigourously implemented in August till December, 2010. "Since August, more than 720 of those found violating traffic norms have been awarded jail terms and 580 have had their driving licences suspended. Most of the cases are yet to be decided at city courts," Garg said.

Original news source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2011/01/02/ArticleHtmls/Cops-play-gentlemen-Drunk-drivers-sent-home-in-02012011003003.shtml?Mode=1

Malls responsible for parked vehicles

Saturday, Jan 01, 2011




Parking is an integral part of a shopping mall and an essential facility. In the absence of this facility, malls would not be able to attract consumers at all in the first place.  So much so that many retailers who do not have proper parking in front of their outlets offer valet parking to attract customers. So, it does not make sense for a shopping mall to levy a fee on car parking.

Yet, malls charge exorbitant amounts for the use of their parking bays. In fact, the parking fee goes up from Rs 30 on weekdays to Rs 50-R60 during weekends, when the demand is high.

This year, during Christmas, in many malls, car owners had to pay a whopping Rs 100 for parking.

This is sheer greed and whether it is Gurgaon or Delhi, the local administration has to step in and stop this kind of exploitation of consumers.

Consumers also need to send out a clear signal that they will not go to malls that impose such steep parking fees.

If the retailers in the mall want some business, then they will have to prevail upon the mall management to ensure that parking is free or the fee is kept at a reasonable amount.

Even the differential pricing based on demand (higher rates for weekends) has to be done away with. The traffic police too need to exert pressure on mall managements to keep the parking fee at a minimum, as otherwise, vehicle owners tend to park vehicles on the roadside, there by obstructing the free flow of traffic on roads around the malls.

In Pune, for the very same reason, the traffic police had sent out a proposal last year, suggesting that parking be made free at shopping malls.

Pradeep Kumar: Despite charging a steep fee, underground parking lots in malls put out boards saying that parking is at owner' s risk.

What happens if a car parked there is lost or damaged? Are they not expected to compensate the car owner? What can a car owner do in such cases?

Answer: Such a notice does not offer any protection to the parking lot contractor, nor does it allow him to escape liability for any loss caused to the car owner.

So, if a vehicle is stolen or even damaged and those managing the parking area are unwilling to make good the loss, then one can always go to the consumer court for relief.  However, it is important to keep the parking receipt safe.

In a number of cases, consumers have got compensation from consumer courts for the theft of vehicles parked in manned parking lots.

In the case of Mahesh Enterprises vs Arun Kumar Gamber, for example, the airport authority and the parking lot contractor at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport argued they cannot be held liable for the theft of a vehicle from the parking area.

However, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission disagreed and ordered the parking contractor to compensate the consumer.

Then, in August 2008, the apex consumer court considered the question of whether a five-star hotel that provided free parking and valet service to its guests was liable for the loss of vehicles from its parking lot.

Its decision, directing the hotel to pay R2 lakh, along with 10% interest, further consolidates the rights of consumers vis-à-vis parking lots (Hotel Hyatt Regency Vs Mr Atul Virmani).

Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Malls-responsible-for-parked-vehicles/Article1-645429.aspx