Traffic police seek to recruit 700 constables

With the number of traffic problems increasing in the city, the traffic police have sent a proposal to the government seeking to recruit more officers.

With the number of traffic problems increasing in the city, the traffic police have sent a proposal to the government seeking to recruit more officers.

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There is currently one traffic policeman for around 680 vehicles in Mumbai. More than 17 lakh vehicles ply the city roads every day with more than new 25 vehicles adding daily.

“There are only 700 officer-level policemen in the traffic police because of which the extra burden falls on the Mumbai police force. There are not enough men in the force and we will send a proposal to the government to recruit more men,” said Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, state minister for transport.

There are 2,500 traffic constables, who work in three shifts. During peak hours, there are more than 1,000 policemen manning the traffic flow.

Every year there are retirements and transfers, there is always a shortage in the force, said Brijesh Singh, additional commissioner of police (traffic). “There is a need for more men in the force,” he said.