More power for bike fleet

The next time you talk on the cell phone while driving or zig zag through traffic on congested roads on your motorcycle, watch out for the traffic cops waiting to chase you on their new Bajaj Pulsar bikes, reports HT Correspondent.

The next time you talk on the cell phone while driving or zig zag through traffic on congested roads on your motorcycle, watch out for the traffic cops waiting to chase you on their new Bajaj Pulsar bikes.

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To ensure order on city roads and curb traffic violations, the Delhi Traffic Police on Monday added 200 bikes and 50 (police control room) PCR vans to its fleet. The motorcycle-borne traffic policemen will be on the lookout for motorists who break traffic rules and fine them.

Senior traffic police officers said more bikes and PCR vans would not only give impetus to the ongoing traffic drive, but will also help in enforcing discipline on Delhi's roads in the long run.

“We had already launched 210 motorcycles and 50 multi-tasking PCR vans in February last year which have been successful. The additional 200 bikes and 50 PCR vans will increase our efficiency," said Commissioner of Police Y.S. Dadwal, while flagging off the new batch.

Joint Commissioner (Traffic) S.N. Shrivastava, however, clarified that the priority of these motorcycle borne policemen would be to regulate traffic and ease congestion. "Their priority is to help motorists and pedestrians reach their destinations safely and as early as possible. If they see any visible violation, they should also challan the offenders," Shrivastava said.

Shrivastava said the fleet has been "briefed, trained and oriented" about the new job.

Senior police officers said the traffic police challaned 26 lakh motorists in 2008, compared with 21.97 lakh violators in 2007.