Omkar Dattatray
Traffic concerns all of us as it affects all people. The efficient and smooth traffic is the index of socio-economic growth of the area or region. Alas! Jammu’s traffic is in a chaotic situation with traffic jams from morning to late evening becoming a routine and regular affair. The public transport system is in mess and the public transporters use road at their whims and caprice as if they are road masters. Now that Basant Rath an IPS officer of 2000 batch has taken the reins of the Traffic Department, there is much spectacular improvement in the Jammu traffic thanks to his way of working. Rightly Basant Rath has earned the name as the “Singham” of Jammu who means business. The IPS officer’s way of working and managing traffic in Jammu is drawing applause for his flamboyant work style. There is a marked improvement in the traffic system in Jammu in just a fortnight of his taking over as the IGP Traffic Jammu. Jammu traffic mess is a cause of concern for all and it affects the plebian or the man in the street. So the efficient management of traffic is very important for the common man. But Jammu traffic system is in shambles and the public transport operators are running the Jammu traffic as if they are the traffic kings. The daily commuters and pedestrians alike are put to great hardships and inconvenience due to mismanagement of the traffic. Basant has infact gained widespread popularity for his style of functioning and managing traffic on the busy and narrow roads of Jammu. People are all praise for him as just in less than a month the traffic scenario of Jammu has shown signs of refinement to a vast extent. The tech-savvy officer uses social media to update people and warn traffic violators to ensure safety on roads. Basant does not even spare Police vehicles as on 21th February he seized a police vehicle for plying without registration number plate. He is outspoken about his style and comments. Basant says that traffic rules are gender neutral and asks women bikers to wear helmets and avoid fine. Now- a-days in Jammu the two wheeler riders wear helmets and the four wheel drivers use seat belt thanks to hard work and determination of Basant Rath. He is a very honest officer and works independently and his style of working has even evoked reaction from the DGP S.P Vaid but the warning of DGP pales into insignificance given the overall praise and support for his work from general public. The causes of traffic jams are the metadors which often stop at their wishes at any places on the road with least regard for stops. Overloading of metadors was also very risky and now after Basant Rath assumed charge as an IGP Traffic Jammu the overloading of minibuses have also been checked and minimized. Second reason for traffic jam is the use of pavements by shopkeepers. Third reason is illegal encroachment by street vendors. Fourthly wrong parking of vehicles along the road side also contributes to traffic jams. Rash driving is one of the cause of accidents in busy roads. Non functional traffic lights add to the woes of the traffic problem. Narrow roads is also one of the predominant causes of traffic jams along with the increasing number of private vehicles. Besides above, the banquet halls without proper parking spaces also adds to the congestion of traffic and traffic jams. Basant has attacked the problem of traffic jams on all these fronts. Now, the Government should sincerely help him in his efforts and boost his morale rather than giving warnings to him. In fact, a fresh spring or what is called Basant is sweeping Jammu roads these days. Its fresh breeze has left many in the corridors of power anesthetic and others shocked and surprised. The ordinary commuters and pedestrians who do not like rash driving, road stunts, congestion and red light jumping and VIP culture are happy and celebrating. Basant Rath is trendsetter but uncompromising to traffic violators no matter who the violator is. The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has done a good job in posting Basant Rath – a hard nut to crack and a very honest and outspoken officer to head the Traffic Department.
He is often seen managing traffic himself like an ordinary traffic cop at the bottom ladder of the police hierarchy. He is becoming both popular as well as controversial among his facebook and twitter followers. Basant has rightly become talk of the town these days. His appeals to commuters are also full of puns and warnings. He pricks the politicians and higher ups with an ease. Basant Rath is working very honestly and with dedication and the general public expects that the top cop should be allowed necessary freedom to work as he likes. No unnecessary interference should be done with his work of smoothening the traffic system in Jammu or otherwise the traffic scenario in Jammu will remain in shambles and the general public will be at the mercy of God.
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