Mumbai: Traffic cops come to rescue of kids' appearing for HSC exams

Students heading for their HSC board exams in Bandra no longer have to face the additional test of looking for an autorickshaw to their exam centre thanks to Inspector Nitin Patil from the Bandra Traffic divisionStudents waiting to board autos from railway stations at Bandra and Khar West were pleasantly surprised to find the traffic police helping them early in the morning The police personnel supervised by Patil even set up separate queues to ensure students got autos on priorityStudents get some muchappreciated extra time to revise as they wait for cops to hail autorickshaws for them outside Khar stationFor once HSC students didnt have to frantically hunt for autos to get to their exam centre Instead they could wait in a separate queue set up for them by the traffic police who even helped flag down rickshaws for them Not only did this greatly reduce stress for the students but it also gave them some muchappreciated extra study time as they waited for their turnThe cops also made announcements outside the station that students would be allowed to board autos on priority and other commuters cooperated in this initiative as well In addition the traffic police were also posted outside several exam centres to ensure students werent delayed by traffic jamsStudents wait in a separate queue outside Bandra stationMan of the hourThe happy students were full of praise for Bandra traffic divisions top cop Inspector Nitin Patil who was spotted personally overseeing the auto queues at Bandra station yesterday Six months after he took charge this is yet another initiative by Patil to smoothen public transport at the congested areas outside railway stationsmidday had reported last month how the local traffic chief had transformed traffic outside both Bandra and Khar stations Earlier not only would autorickshaws crowd the area outside the station but the drivers would also harass and fleece commuters Within two months of his tenure Patil had reined in errant auto drivers and marked out separate lanes for pickup and drop as well as strict queues for waiting commuters The Joint CP for traffic in a recent interview to midday also applauded Patils work and recommended other cops to follow suitStudents are top priorityPI Patil told midday We are treating students heading to exam centres with utmost priority Two constables have been deployed at both railway stations early in the morning to ensure students get autos to reach their exam hall on time If there are lots of students we also make a separate queue for them giving them first priority to board the share autosThere is heavy footfall at Bandra and Khar stations and students would have had to wait for 15 to 20 minutes for an auto Traffic cops along with wardens are there to help at railway stations from 730 am he addedStudents say thanksShubham Yadav 17My friends and I were surprised when we exited from Bandra station on the first day of exams and the cops announcing a separate queue for students They helped us board autos before the other passengersVaishnavi Hande 18The moment I exited Bandra station with my books in hand the traffic cops helped me get into an auto without any hassle This really saves time for students who dont wish to waste a single second before an exam Thank you Mumbai PoliceAbhishek Srivastav 18My examination centre is in Khar During the exams the cops have ensured that we dont have to wait a single minute to get an auto This should be done to help HSC and SSC students everywhereCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates