PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 17: This Holi, traffic police will be on extra alert to check rash driving in and around steel city Jamshedpur.
Teams will be deployed at Sakchi, Bistupur, Kadma, Sonari, Golmuri, Burmamines and Telco. The effort is aimed at not only minimising road accidents, but also ensuring peaceful Holi celebrations.
Holi, the festival of colours will be celebrated on March 19, Saturday.
“We will keep tabs on reckless bikers and motorists during the festive weekend. We want commuters to strictly follow traffic rules and offenders will be punished,” said a traffic cop in Sakchi.
He said chances of fatal accidents were on the rise because of safety rule violations. “We plan to organise vehicle-checking drives in different areas of the steel city. Constables have been asked to take strict action against offenders,” he said, adding that spot fines of Rs 500 would be slapped for violations.
During Holi, youths have a tendency to speed because they are either high on bhang or on alcohol. Road mishaps have been frequent during Holi; so this time, traffic police will try their best to ensure safe revelry,.
Peace committees under different police stations have also drawn up elaborate plans to ensure a fun festival. Committee members and police will jointly maintain vigil during Holika Dahan today.
“Besides, we have decided to prevent forceful application of colours on people who dislike the practice. Many people avoid colours because of health or religious reasons. If they are forced to play with even gulal, there can be ugly fights,” said a peace committee member at Ulidih in Mango.
