The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the state to, by December 18, decide on a proposal sent by the transport commissioner. The motion asked for empowering traffic constables to impose fines on the spot.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice BP Colabawala observed that even after the passage of two years and nine months, the government has been undecided on the proposal, which, it said, was unfortunate.
The power was withdrawn after a constable in December 2011 confiscated the driving licence of the son of the additional chief secretary and asked him to collect it after paying a fine. The bench said, "If the constable cannot impose a fine, it implies that he can taken money illegally, but not fine."
The court also directed the BMC to have all zebra crossings and stop lines painted by December 18. The court gave the directives while hearing a PIL filed by the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) and the Western India Automobile Association seeking greater traffic safety and strict adherence to traffic norms in the city.
Advocate Armin Wandrewalla, who has been appointed as amicus curiae in the PIL, suggested to the court that citizens who help in easing traffic problems should be provided with 'friends of the traffic' badges.
She said, "Most of the times, motorists don't follow the directions given by alert citizens and if the traffic police appoints them, then they will be given due credit. Further, the police many a time directs the traffic to cross the stop line, which is a complete disregard to pedestrians."
Additional government pleader JS Saluja informed the court that as directed, the police recruitment to the sanctioned post is done. However, with regards to the proposal pending before the state, instructions need to be given. The court has now adjourned the hearing to December 18.
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