New Delhi:
In what will be a controversial move, the Delhi Police has decided to arm 1,000 traffic cops in the Capital with revolvers. Delhi Police chief BS Bassi made the announcement today, but the purpose of the weapons were not mentioned.
Traffic policemen in Delhi are so far not armed. They are often spotted at many places in the capital engaged in heated arguments with drivers whom they have stopped for violating traffic rules.
The latest task handed to the Delhi traffic police is enforcing the "Odd-Even" rule of the state government, a measure designed to check the dangerously high level of air pollution in the city.
The police had their hands full on Monday, the first full-fledged working day since the Odd-Even formula came into effect. On Monday, January 4, only cars with even registration numbers are allowed on the capital's roads.
Questions have been raised about the successful implementation of the pilot project in view of the limited strength of the traffic police.
Today, while making the announcement, Mr Bassi said, "Traffic road length is 33,000 km and traffic police strength is 5,000. We are working with the available resources."
By the next year, Mr Bassi said, "Delhi traffic police will have its own chopper to control traffic".