PUNE: City police commissioner Amitabh Gupta said on Monday that e-pass is mandatory for travel through a level-5 district even if one does not halt there.
“An e-pass is not required if a person is travelling between level-1 and level-4 districts, but one has to apply for an e-pass for travelling through a level-5 district,” the police chief said.
TimesViewThe Pune police commissioner’s decision to commence nakabandi from 6.30 pm instead of 5pm will help reduce traffic jams in the evening hours.
As most offices and shops close at 4pm, those working in these establishments were scrambling to return home before 5pm.
The police have rightly observed that the one-hour window was grossly inadequate to facilitate the return journey of these staffers and visitors, more so because most of the roads in central city areas have been dug up.
While the police chief has taken the right decision, the civic administration must step up its efforts to repair the dug-up roads on a war footing.Gupta said, “If anyone wants to travel to a district falling under level 1 to level 4 categories, and there is no level 5 district falling in between, then the person is not required to apply for an e-pass.
He/she can travel to that district without an e-pass.” “We will continue to update our e-pass software according to the updates of the government pertaining to Covid restrictions being emforced in different districts,” Gupta said.
The move is in line with the state government’s five level unlocking plan that is based on a district’s weekly positivity rate (WPR) and Covid bed occupancy.
A level 4 or 5 classification suggests classification suggests a district or area still has high WPR and bed occupancy The police chief said, “According to the new state government guidelines, shops and offices cannot function beyond 4pm.
After the closing time, people need at least an hour to reach their homes.” “But owing to some factors, like rush of commuters going back home and dug-up roads at many places, it has now been decided to start the nakabandi operation at 6.30pm, instead of 5pm.
People moving on roads may be questioned by the police authorities and they should cooperate with them,” Gupta fuether said.
“The 5pm nakabandi is likely to cause traffic jams on city roads and create unnecessary hassles for commuters,” he said.