Kolkata: The city traffic police have decided to re-introduce fines and seizures after a 10-day break, although the decision to continue the Breathalyzer test has been pushed back for a few more days.
“The decision on the most important test on the road will be taken based on a response to the spot,” said a senior officer in the Lalbazar traffic building.
Fine place was stopped from January 6 for surging a Covid case among citizens and police personnel Kolkata.
So far, Kolkata police have recorded more than 730 Covid cases in the third wave.
More than 95% of these cases were recorded after 2.
January, 146 came from the traffic wing – with as many as 52 sergeant infected by Covid.
According to the top Lalbazar officers, two developments in the past few days have brought them to reverse their decisions.
“The number of Covid cases in the traffic unit finally saw a slight decline since the first week of January.
Officers from all ranks have begun to join work – ranging from additional CP, CP together and DCPS, and the most important, sergeant and police,” said the officer other.
In addition, the increasing number of accidents on the road – especially involving trucks and two-wheeled – has also accelerated the decision.
While eight people were left injured in the past week, two people died in a fatal accident.
One of them happened to be the police themselves.
Until last week, there were 80-90 cases of covid a day.
However, the last 72 hours have seen these numbers excess between 50-60 per day.
“While the traffic police are the first to fall ill – trends witnessed from the first wave because they have maximum exposure to the public – the number is now declining,” ACP said.
Vineet Goyal Commissioner held a video conference with senior officers on Saturday and asked all traffic guards to restart fine spots along with quotation cases.
CP together (traffic) Santosh Pandey then held a video conference with all OC and ACP asking them to start the examination but without sacrificing their security.
“Even though he hasn’t called the Breathalyzer test, he insists on doing seizures and compound cases, which is only possible when we do spot checks.
However, there are catches.
The police, especially those who have taken a booster dose, must lead,” said an officer.
“There are rumors that we have stopped all prosecutions.
We haven’t made such decisions anytime, especially when our daily prosecution regularly crosses 2,000 before the third wave.
The only suggestion from above now is to avoid direct conversation at close range.
Casing quotes and stickers will continue.
But we are very serious about drink-driving prosecution and reviews of the Breathalyzer test will be done soon, “said an officer.
Traffic personnel are also asked to use gloves and facial shields other than masks while interacting with the public on the road.
“It is enforced during the first and second waves, and is just an old order reiterasi as it is important to clean the police station and traffic guards,” the officer said.