We are welfare-oriented, not draconian in our approach, says Mumbai Traffic JCP Milind Bharambe

Mumbai roads have always seen traffic menace, and the traffic police have dealt with the violators. What made the traffic police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) come up with such an initiative?
The measures that we have put in place to curb violations and increase awareness among commuters are definitely new. The directive to implement them came from a committee formed by the Supreme Court on road safety. The Maharashtra government recently issued a government resolution (GR) in this regard and the job of enforcement was entrusted to the traffic police and RTO.

The traffic police are already under-staffed and over-worked. Do you think the drive will add to their workload?
There is heavy traffic in the city, but that has never been a problem. The issue is that the offenders don't follow traffic rules. Such people create jams and indirectly increase the workload of the policemen on the street. With this drive, we aim to tackle such menace. We are hopeful that the initiative will bring in more discipline, which will lead to fewer traffic issues in the city.

One of the rules says even the pillion rider has to wear a helmet. People are complaining that they were not given enough notice. Your views.
First of all, let me tell you that the law has been there for a long time. We are here to ensure safety of motorists and this is a positive step forward. Secondly, I can understand the grievances of motorists. First, we want all riders to start wearing helmets. In the later stage, we will take it to the pillion riders. But it needs to somewhere. I want to assure that we are welfare-oriented and not draconian in our approach.

For the first time, the traffic police will also hold counselling sessions for offenders. What is the idea behind that?
We have a total of 34 traffic divisions and the counselling sessions will be conducted there. We want to create more awareness.

What are the positives that the traffic police are looking at? And what are the challenges?
We are hopeful that the traffic discipline in the city will improve by leaps and bounds. In terms of challenges, I think RTO's long-term engagement with us is important. RTO could have their problems and whether they will be able to depute officers for long term is to be seen.