Day 2: 38 fined

Of the 38 violators fined on the second day of the anti-jaywalking drive outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) junction, three were government officials and another a policeman.

Of the 38 violators fined on the second day of the anti-jaywalking drive outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) junction, three were government officials and another a policeman.

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Several others were spared with a warning during the drive near the CST junction on DN Road between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.

The traffic police launched the drive in collaboration with Hindustan Times on Monday.

The government employees fined were either unaware of the traffic rules or never took the law seriously.

“I have always been crossing the road here. Today I was in a hurry to reach Mantralaya. I didn’t know it (jaywalking) was an offence. But now that I know about it, I will stop my old habit,” said a 35-year-old official from the Public Works Department, requesting anonymity.

The policeman fined said he did not know the rule because he was new to the city. “I shifted from Nagpur to Mumbai a week ago. I am not completely aware of the laws in the city. But henceforth, I will be careful,” said L R Gaikwad, head constable, Railway Protection Force. Most of the other offenders caught were youngsters who felt that a Rs 100 fine was too much for jay-walking.

“The roads and the subways here are too confusing and there’s not enough awareness as to how to use them. Not all pedestrians carry so much cash,” said Aruna Jadhav, an MCom student from Sydneham College.

Jadhav was penalised along with her two friends.

The traffic police were lenient with college students and guided them properly about the rules.

Those caught in groups were asked to divide the fine among themselves.

“We understand that it is the circumstances that sometimes make them defy the rules. But we also have to do our duty,” said Uday Kadam, assistant police inspector. “We will help them as much as we can and not be too harsh on them.”