IG disallows haphazard parking of police vehicles

EASING TRAFFIC WOES Police officials have been asked to ensure that vehicles are parked away from protest sites

LUCKNOW: While agitations frequently lead to blocked roads and traffic jams in the city, haphazardly parked police vehicles near Vidhan Bhavan and other protest sites also contribute to traffic congestion. Additionally, they also give an opportunity to mischief mongers to damage police property and create further chaos. These sentiments were expressed by inspector general (IG) of police, Lucknow Zone, A Satish Ganesh.

In a letter to police officials, the IG pointed out that haphazard parking of police vehicles near protest zones was one of the major reasons behind traffic congestion experienced during agitations. Police vehicles parked around Vidhan Bhavan, the GPO and the Hazratganj crossing, worsened the situation, he added.

The IG directed SSP Lucknow to ensure that all police vehicles were removed from protest sites after dropping off police officials and personnel.

In the letter, the IG also mentioned that police drivers often remained negligent about parking vehicles on the roadside and did not bother removing them even in case of traffic chaos. He asked the SSP to issue specific directions to police drivers to refrain from parking near crossings or intersections as that blocked the movement of traffic.

“Parking police vehicles away from the protest sites will help in two ways – by not causing traffic congestion and keeping the vehicles away from being targeted by protesters,” explained Ganesh. He said that the SSP had been asked to ensure that the police drivers complied with the instructions and to initiate stern action, like suspension and departmental inquiry, against drivers who violated the orders.

The IG also sent the same letter to the additional SPs of the reserve police lines, issuing instructions for police drivers, deployed with different officers and station in-charges, to be briefed on his orders. He has even asked police constables driving PAC vehicles to be briefed on the new directions regarding parking.