Come monsoon and the Bangalore traffic police (BTP) is always busy dealing with several problems including water logging and fallen trees. And everytime it rains, the traffic jams increases ten-fold at all places.
Controlling the traffic while handling the water logging and other issues had forced BTP to wait for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials to come to their rescue. And the entire process used to be a time taking process giving a lot of problems to the traffic personnels as well as the commuters and pedestrians.
However, now it seems that the BTP has to worry only about the traffic as it has equipped itself to handle the other issues by themselves.
Speaking to City Express, M A Saleem, Additional Commissioner of BTP, said, "We had to make some in-house provisions to deal with such situations. So, now we have 'Garuda Vahana' which consists of all the equipment to deal with problems of water-logging and removal of fallen trees."
With the city witnessing unpredictable rains, 'Garuda Vahana' has come quite handy.
On the day when Royal Challengers Bangalore thrashed Chennai Super Kings, the BTP removed a big tree at Richmond Circle. Similarly, on May 20, the heavy rains caused water logging on many roads. Unlike other times, the BTP did not have to wait for the BBMP.
The Garuda Vahana consist of one ASI with a walkie and two constables.
Whenever there is a situation, the control room alerts the Vahana and they make their way to the spot. Traffic inspector Dr Anil Kumar, who is in charge of the vehicle says, "This vehicle is like a first-aid. The main purpose of the vehicle is to provide immediate relief. However, if the situation is of severe nature then BBMP officials are the best to deal with it and we have to wait from them to attend the issue."
The Garuda Vahana has been there with the BTP for a few years now, but only this year, it has been put to full use. The Vahana was instrumental in clearing water logging in places near Windsor Manor, Annepalya, etc.
"As of now, we are using it only in the central district areas since we have just one vehicle. Moreover, the traffic density is more in those areas," said Saleem. Recently, the ACP had issued a directive to all the 42-odd traffic police stations to make use of the towing machines during such rainy season. Anil Kumar adds, "The local police tries to mend the problem with the towing machine as much as they can, till the Garuda Vahana arrives for rescue."
The Garuda Vahana consists of many equipment including a pump machine set that cost around `14,000, an electric bar which cost about `3000 and so on.
With Bangalore Traffic police taking away some of the responsibilities from the BBMP, we hope they will be quicker and much more efficient in solving other civic issues too like garbage and potholes.
