Traffic police also ready for violators

The spontaneous and 'unruly' celebrations that erupted across the Capital after India beat Pakistan at Mohali in the semi-final on Wednesday taught the Delhi Traffic Police quite a lesson.

The spontaneous and 'unruly' celebrations that erupted across the Capital after India beat Pakistan at Mohali in the semi-final on Wednesday taught the Delhi Traffic Police quite a lesson.

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So much so that each of its 6,000-odd officers will be on the streets on Saturday — when India clashes with Sri Lanka in Mumbai finals —watching

and waiting for errant drivers to merely cross their path.

"Our officer's leaves have been cancelled for Saturday, cranes have been instructed to tow away vehicles and each of our 620 bikes from the chase and challan squad has been

instructed to be on the streets to keep a strict vigil. We will certainly be happy if India gets the cup for us — but anarchy will not be tolerated," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

With alcometers as their weapon of choice, the Traffic Police has decided to descend on city's streets between 6pm and 2:30am, when the frenzy is supposed to be at its peak, instead of asking its officers to report for duty at their usual time.

"Our officers will not report for duty between 11am and 7pm, which is their usual time and will instead go to work in the evening. Each of our 70-odd cranes will be on standby throughout the Capital as more than 50 teams, of seven officers each, scouts every inch of the city. The towed vehicles will not be released at least till Monday," Garg said.

More than 70 drivers were challaned for drink driving on Wednesday night.

This time, triple riders and those riding without helmets will also be on the Traffic Police's radar.