Excuses won’t work: Cops

Twenty-nine people were fined on the fourth day of the anti-jaywalking drive initiated by the Mumbai traffic police. Another 80 offenders were let off with a warning, reports Karthik Balasubramanian.

Twenty-nine people were fined on the fourth day of the anti-jaywalking drive initiated by the Mumbai traffic police. Another 80 offenders were let off with a warning.

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Altogether 202 people have been fined since the drive began on Monday.

The drive was held outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) on Thursday, and as on previous days, a majority of those fined were office-goers.

Most of the offenders claimed ignorance of law against jaywalking. “I have to use the road because I can’t get any (cellphone) signal in the subway,” a woman from Parel said, requesting anonymity.

“There are no signs warning us about the fine either,” she added.

Sub-Inspector Tukaram Jagtap, however, told her that jaywalking rules were well known “from grade school onwards,” and that the drive was more about making the people follow the rules.

“We have given them all (those fined) receipts, and 15 days from the date the receipts are issued, they can appear before the magistrate and fight their cases,” said Jagtap. “We are only trying to increase awareness against jaywalking.”

“The tempo had dropped them off far from the subway,” said Kakar, as Rawal paid the fine for him. “I thought I would cross the road and enter the subway. The shop is closer to that side.”

“I don’t know why they are doing this drive suddenly,” said a high court official, requesting anonymity.