Chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s convoy was stopped to facilitate the movement of an ambulance on Sunday evening.
Earlier, Odisha police who had come under flak for its failure to facilitate the movement of an ambulance resulting in the death of a kid last month, have released the video of Naveen’s convoy being stopped to send a message how cops are taking steps for smooth movement of ambulances.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sagarika Nath told The Telegraph: “The chief minister’s convoy has been stopped for seven times during the last six months. But it has gone unnoticed. On Sunday evening around 7.45 pm, the convoy was stopped near the Capital Hospital Square on the main road leading to Naveen Niwas from the state secretariat for almost one and half minute. The convoy was stopped till passing of four ambulances.”
She said: “Strict instruction has been given to our traffic cops on how to divert, manage or halt the convoy if an ambulance is spotted on the road. We have the guidelines to this effect on what to do about convoy of those enjoy the Z category security. The traffic cop has been asked to communicate to the convoy in charge immediately seeing the movement of the ambulance. Accordingly, steps will be taken.”
Traffic constable Jagannath Jayasingh who took on the spot decision to stop Naveen’s convoy, told reporters, “Its our priority to allow the ambulance. I cleared the traffic and made room for the ambulance by stopping the convoy. I took the approval of my seniors immediately and accordingly did my job. Saving of life is our priority.”
On the other hand, Odisha police and Regional Transport Officer have intensified their movement to enforce the new MVI Act 2017. During the last 24 hours, the officials have collected fines of Rs 1.06 crore from people for violation of traffic rules across the state.”
As part of its drive against traffic violation, the traffic police fined Rs 43,000 to one Bijay Singh for allowing his minor son to ride a scooter. As per the fine, Rs 25,000 was fined on the vehicle owner Singh for allowing the minor to drive, Rs 10,000 for lacking pollution certificates, Rs 5000 for driving without driving license, Rs 1000 for driving without wearing helmet and Rs 2,000 for lacking insurance. Police also slapped fine on school buses for running without fitness certificates.
Officials sources maintained during the last 24 hours, 126 persons were penalised for triple riding on bikes, 10 people for driving on the wrong route, 1831 people for riding without helmets, 48 persons for talking on their mobile phones while driving, 349 for not wearing seat belts, 24 for drunken driving and 277 persons for speeding.
The Opposition Congress on Monday demanded to slash the penalty amount imposed for violation of traffic rule. “Many states have already drastically slashed the fine amount. We will go for a mass agitation if the government does not slash the penalty amount in 15 days,” said Congress MLA Suresh Routray.
