Bansi Lal, Social Worker, said that the volume of traffic has increased manifold over the last few years. “At the time, when the people of Jammu city were struggling to cope up with problems related to excess traffic a sigh of relief was felt with the smoothening of traffic on Jammu roads by the efforts of IGP Traffic Basant Rath who is monitoring things very closely”, he said adding illegal Rehris, encroachments on pavements and the overloaded matadors and buses have suddenly vanished. Jammu wants officers like Basant Rath, he quipped.
“Till the time strategy of IGP Traffic is working efficiently and giving succour to commuters travelling on roads, advisories issued by higher ups against Basant Rath cannot move him or people’s support which he has won in less than a fortnight, he maintained.
R.K Bakshi, Manager Combine Group, said IGP Basant Rath is doing a commendable job by resolving the traffic issues in Jammu city and its adjoining areas. He is hard working and sincere police officer getting popularity with his commendable working style. “After his assuming the charge in traffic wing, the people have started following traffic rules and chaotic scenes which were earlier prevalent on city roads have certainly gone as if he had a magic wand”, he said.
Responding to a query on the advisory issued against Basant Rath, Bakshi said DGP should give free hand to IGP Traffic to ensure more drastic changes and deter road traffic defaulters. The whole Jammu is standing beside him as such officers are the need of the time, he maintained.
Raj Kumar Gupta, President Ward No 15 BJP, appreciated the working style of IGP Traffic Basant Rath and said that the change brought in IGP is visible on roads and people have now started following traffic norms.
Expressing concern over the letter issued against IGP Traffic, he said the DGP should have encouraged the IGP Traffic who is working like a one man army and putting all out efforts to streamline traffic in Jammu city. “People of Jammu city are seen on roads obeying the traffic rules sincerely by using helmets on two-wheeler, seat belts in four-wheelers, etc. It is true that we have to follow the service rules but it is more important that if any officer doing his job seriously which is appreciated by one and all then he should be encouraged by his superiors to carry on with his dedicated services”, he said.
Shruti Gupta, a research scholar praised Basant Rath for his innovative ways to manage traffic on Jammu roads which lately has become a serious issue and a very difficult task for the district administration. “Soon after taking over the charge, Basant Rath interacted with the commuters and convinced scores of them about benefits of following traffic rules. Rath is becoming a role model for youth as well as for other officers”, he said.
Reacting over the warning letter issued against Rath, Gupta said rather than giving sermons to IGP Traffic, DGP should have asked other officers to follow his way of working to transform the image of police in public domain.
Ashok Kumar, social worker hailed the steps taken by the IGP Traffic in streamlining the traffic of Jammu city. He said Basant Rath is leaving no stone unturned in spreading the awareness with the help of social networking sites about the traffic rules and regulations. “He is going to every nook and corner of the city issuing Challans to the violators without giving any heed to political or bureaucratic pressure thus enthusing confidence among his subordinates to work with zeal and honesty”, Sham said.
He also expressed resentment against DGP Dr SP Vaid for creating hurdles in the working of Basant Rath by issuing advisories. He asked DGP to let him work for some more months and then see the impact on Jammu roads.
