Nagpur: On first day of rollout of the private bus parking ban, traffic police on Wednesday cracked down on vehicles parked illegally on roads, causing traffic jams. However, buses dropping off or picking passengers were spared.Cops registered 12 FIRs against bus operators for violating the recent order issued by DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani and for causing danger by obstruction.Till evening, the cops dealt with the bus operators with velvet gloves. Instead of taking strict action, they asked bus operators to leave, and some even complied, fearing police action. Such was the impact of the city police action that by 9pm, Chhatrapati Square, which usually witnesses long lines of private buses, and traffic chaos because of it, was completely devoid of buses.The traffic department had on August 12 issued a notification banning the pick-up and drop service of private bus operators inside the Inner Ring Road boundary. Police also gave seven days to the operators to find locations, with the deadline of August 20.On Wedenesday, police launched the drive against the operators but focused on illegal parking and not the pick-up and drop service, which they had mentioned in the notification.Speaking to TOI, DCP Matani said police on Wednesday took action against private vehicles illegally parked on streets. “The drive will continue, and after some days, we will even intensify the action to clear the city roads,” said the DCP, adding that many vehicles were parked on roads for more than 45 minutes. Police deployed 21 officers and 70 personnel for the drive.Till 7pm, cops had registered 12 FIRs and also seized vehicles, which were later sent to the respective police station.The FIRs were registered under section 223 and 285 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. Cops also imposed a 5,000 fine on 15 vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act for illegal parking.TOI on Wednesday also visited many spots in the city where private buses pick-up and drop passengers. Interestingly, during afternoon hours, at locations like Chhatrapati Square, Bole Petrol Pump, Ravi Nagar, Rahate Colony, and Central Avenue, the private operators were picking up and dropping passengers like usual. However, by evening, the police went into action and started cracking down heavily. However, police also started removing the buses rather than only issuing challans.“On Wednesday, we focused mainly on Chhatrapati Square and Central Avenue, where the menace of private buses is higher,” said DCP Matani.Meanwhile, the process of identifying locations for private buses for pay and park is also underway inside city limits. Police also made announcements against parking of private buses at Chhatrapati Square.
