Bharat Panchal says he has taken up the responsibility purely out of civic responsibility and a desire to ensure safer roads. PIC/SHIRISH VAKTANIA
The octogenarian resides with his wife in the Highway Park building at Thakur Complex in Kandivli East. Traffic police personnel, tea sellers, coconut vendors, and residents support Panchal daily by offering him tea and coconuts. The traffic police have also felicitated Panchal with gifts in appreciation of his remarkable work
Every day without fail from 4.30 pm to 8 pm, Bharat Panchal, 85, mans his ‘post’ at Thakur Complex signal on the Western Express Highway in Kandivli East, managing traffic, preventing vehicles from entering the wrong lane, and urging motorists to wear helmets and seatbelts
Panchal, who claims he isn’t on any medication despite his advanced age, attributes his fitness to his volunteerism and says his only aim is to ensure that people follow traffic rules
Constable Sandip Jadhav of the Kandivli Traffic Division said, “I see this gentleman at his spot every day. He helps us regularly. I usually give him water and biscuits. I feel good seeing the fantastic work he does assisting the traffic police. We have told him several times that managing traffic is a tough and risky job, but he insists that he wants to do it for the greater good"
Panchal said, “I have been doing this work for several years only to ensure everyone follows traffic rules. Nobody should break signals, as it increases the chances of accidents. I always carry a whistle and a torch. The traffic police have offered me a green reflector jacket, but I refused"
“I want to stay healthy forever, and that is why I chose this way of life. Managing traffic allows me to communicate with people, meet new faces daily, educate citizens about traffic rules, and prevent vehicles from entering the wrong lane,” Panchal explained
Panchal further said, “Because of this work, I am fit and fine. I have dedicated my life to helping the police manage traffic, and I will continue to do so. Many years ago, I noticed that the Thakur Complex junction on the Western Express Highway was always congested due to traffic violations. That is when I decided to take responsibility. I do not take money from any department for this work. It is my passion, hobby, and dream. In return, I receive love and respect from citizens. The traffic police also support me"
Senior Inspector Jagdish Bhopale of the Kandivli Traffic Division said, “Bharat Panchal is doing excellent work by managing traffic at this signal entirely on his own. We have informed him that it can be risky because vehicles travel at high speed on the highway, but he insists he is doing this so everyone follows traffic rules. The traffic division also presented him with a gift this Diwali. Very few people in Mumbai do such selfless work. Despite his age, Panchal’s energy is like that of a young man. We fully support him. We also offered him the role of a traffic warden, but he refused as he does not want any monetary benefit. We are fortunate to have Panchal at this junction, where he continues to do commendable work every day”. (Western Express Highway/Representational pic)
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