'We'll step up anti-drink drive campaign'

On his first day as joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Vivek Phansalkar made clear his plans to regulate the more than 17 lakh vehicles across the 777 km network of the Mumbai roads.

On his first day as joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Vivek Phansalkar made clear his plans to regulate the more than 17 lakh vehicles across the 777 km network of the Mumbai roads.

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Phansalkar, who was to meet the commissioner of police on Saturday, wants to focus on developing need-based technology, maintaining equipment regularly, spreading awareness against drink driving and educating people about traffic rules.

"We will bring in technology that can reach people and the implementation of which, will help the public at large," said Phansalkar, a 1989 batch IPS officer and an engineer with a specialisation in electronics and telecommunications.

He is looking forward to the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at vital locations. "About 100 CCTVs are being installed. Once the process is complete, we will chalk out plans to expand."

Phansakar is also keen on intensifying the traffic police's anti-drink and drive campaign.

The traffic police will now take photographs of the arrested offenders and submit them in court as a precaution against substitutes taking blame instead of the accused.

"All attempts will be made to minimise drink driving. The campaign should be intensified as people's lives continue to be in danger," said Phansalkar, seated in his Worli Seaface office.

"We will make sure we reduce accidents and make roads congestion free."

Phansalkar wants to start a series of awareness drives to educate people about traffic rules.

"People themselves should make sure they do not break traffic rules. Our aim would be to make every driver feel safe on the road," he added.