Anti-encroachment squad of the civic body should have begun removing 150 traffic booths from yesterday, but failed to do so

Not boot(h)ed out

Anti-encroachment squad of the civic body should have begun removing 150 traffic booths from yesterday, but failed to do so

They were supposed to make work easy for traffic cops stationed on roads besides being a source of revenue for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). However, the traffic booths put up at city junctions have done nothing but cause minor accidents.

These booths at the junctions block visibility of the drivers leading to accidents. These observations prompted the traffic branch to write a letter to the PMC two months ago, asking it to remove the booths.

The anti-encroachment squad of the PMC had promised to remove these structures from yesterday onwards.
But no action was taken yesterday.

The booths that have been asked to be removed are in crowded junctions such as Bhairoba Nala on Solapur road. At least 150 of the 200 booths installed three years ago in the city and Pimpri-Chinchwad are to be removed soon.

Big nuisance
The booths were constructed to help police deployed on roads regulate traffic better, but they are allegedly serving only commercial purpose of two private companies.

"Only a few like in Khandujibaba chowk are proving to be useful. Most of the traffic booths are found to be unused by police, left only to be used as a loitering space for stray animals and beggars," said Police Inspector (Planning) Vijaykumar Palsule from the Traffic Branch. "We had written a letter to the PMC on October 7, 2010 and asked them to remove the traffic booths which are proving hazardous. A list of booths to be removed has also been given to the PMC. We are still waiting for them to take action."

Will act soon: PMC
Anti-encroachment Squad chief Ramesh Shelar had said the booths would be removed from yesterday onwards.
"All our officers were busy attending a function yesterday at the Bhavani Peth. So no action could be taken, but it will definitely happen today," Shelar said.

"The list prepared by the traffic police have been taken into consideration. We have instructed all the 14 ward officers to take action. The ward officers and their staff will review their ward jurisdiction first, take down the advertisements on the booths and then the entire booth will be removed."