The Times of India      22.12.2010

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday invited tenders from private agencies to monitor and manage its Integrated Traffic System (ITS), which has been ready for use for the last one year, even though the standing committee is yet to approve the move.

The PMC has been delaying the implementation of the ITS, developed at a cost of Rs 15 crore, which is being touted as a system that will improve traffic management in Pune. Although the standing committee had rejected a proposal to appoint a private agency to monitor and manage the system this February, PMC's standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde said earlier this month that the project is necessary for the city and the standing committee would approve it soon.

Civic officials said that besides reining in traffic offenders, the infrastructure would be useful to integrate the traffic system, monitor critical public areas, PMC offices, bus rapid transit system (BRTS) routes, octroi posts, vehicle depots as well as water works.

Once the ITS is in place, challans will be delivered on a citizen's doorstep for a traffic violation. The proof of the offence would be captured in the form of video clippings and pictures by various cameras installed, and uploaded on a dedicated website as proof along with information about the traffic violators or the vehicles involved. In addition to the stipulated fine (compounding fees) of the traffic police, a special charge Rs 200 for two-wheelers and Rs 500 for four-wheelers would also be charged.

The agency, finalised and appointed by the PMC, would deliver the challan at the traffic violator's address, which the traffic branch can access directly from the computerised records of the regional transport office. One challan would be processed in 30 seconds under the ITS. The PMC is expected to impart initial training to the staff of the private agency to process the challans and would specify a certain monthly target to the agency for delivering challans and collecting fines. Civic officials said the challan will would have to be dispatched within three days of the traffic offence. The video clippings/ pictures of traffic violations would be stored for a period of three months.

While there are at least 13 types of common traffic violations like jumping red lights, violating speed limit, stopping on the zebra crossing, violating no-parking rules, rash driving, using mobile phones while driving, riding triple seat, vehicles entering BRTS lanes and driving on the wrong side the municipal commissioner would have the right to add, delete or modify the list of violations.

Incidentally, the basic information details such as vehicle number, type of violation, special charges and compounding charges, previous history of traffic violations, would be posted on the website. The PMC, the traffic police, regional transport office and even the insurance companies would be able to retrieve these details.

Meanwhile, traffic offenders would have the option to pay the fine and the special charges through cheques, credit cards and cash at the traffic offices, the PMC ward offices, kiosks, or other arrangements made by the private agency. Civic officials said if the fine is not paid within the first week, the violator will get reminders from the private agency via phone calls or SMS. Incidentally, if the special charges are not paid within a certain period, the vehicle would be towed away after taking digital photographs. The traffic police would initiate court proceedings against violators who refuse to pay the fines. The PMC would reimburse a share of special charges to the private agency.