Kolkata: Following Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's call for a strict crackdown on helmetless bikers on Monday, the Lalbazar police headquarters directed all 26 traffic guards, in coordination with local police, to conduct round-the-clock enforcement operations. Lalbazar officials reported that compliance on major roads exceeded 95% for helmet usage, with an overall estimate of around 90% across the city.
Intensive Vigil Yields High Numbers
After more than 60 hours of continuous surveillance, the data underscores the necessity of Adhikari's directive for sustained vigilance. According to statistics shared by Joint CP (Traffic) Rupesh Kumar, a total of 3,302 bikers have been penalized. The Metiabruz Traffic Guard accounted for 301 violations, while the Headquarter guard, covering the Central Business District area, reported the highest figure among all guards at 372 cases. Police stated that these numbers are the highest recorded in recent times. Other guards with significant tallies include Jorabagan Guard (286 cases) and East Guard (271 cases).
Enforcement in Bylanes and Use of Body Cameras
Officers have been instructed to extend enforcement into bylanes and record all actions using body cameras. This measure aims to provide evidence in case of challenges. Additionally, authorities have begun analyzing locations requiring improvement. For instance, while Gobinda Khatik Road showed higher compliance, areas around CIT Paddapukur and Rippon Street remain problematic, according to an officer.
Focus on Children's Helmet Safety
On Wednesday, police launched a campaign to ensure children wear helmets while traveling on two-wheelers. This followed senior officers' observations during rounds on Tuesday that adults were wearing helmets but not their children. Since Monday, 146 riders or pillion riders have been prosecuted for failing to provide helmets for their children. An officer from the traffic brass noted, "More than the riders, it is the number of pillion riders — and even the children — who are not wearing helmets. The situation on smaller roads and lanes needs further improvement. However, overall helmet compliance has remained steady, with almost all major roads (barring a few patches) witnessing above 98% compliance."
Strategic Measures and Awareness Campaigns
During a meeting with police officers at Nabanna earlier, Adhikari directed action against motorcyclists without helmets. Sources indicate that areas with a higher tendency of riding without helmets have been identified for checks. Lalbazar stated that checkpoints should be established at night, with assistance from local police stations if necessary. The directive from Lalbazar on Monday specified that the Deputy Commissioner of Traffic and Assistant Commissioner of Police will oversee these special drives, and all relevant information must be reported to Lalbazar promptly. Alongside enforcement, there is an emphasis on raising awareness about helmet usage. Some officers noted that until recently, there was a high presence of helmetless bikers in parts of North-East, South Kolkata, and the southern suburbs. However, police claim that this trend has decreased somewhat following the election results.
