Kolkata Traffic Police Requisition Thousands of Vehicles for Election Duty
In a significant move to support election operations, Kolkata traffic police have initiated the requisition of approximately 9,500 vehicles, including app-based cabs and school transport vehicles, starting from April 19. This large-scale mobilization is set to affect the city's transport system throughout the latter half of April, as buses are diverted for election duties and auto-rickshaws grapple with a severe fuel crisis.
Details of the Vehicle Requisition
The requisition process, which began over 45 days ago, involves feeding data into the newly launched Sugam app by District Election Officers (DEOs) to ensure an error-free and transparent system. According to police officials, the high demand stems from elections being conducted in just two phases, necessitating an abnormally large fleet of vehicles.
Key figures include:
- Around 3,500 school vehicles, primarily pool cars used for student transport, have been requisitioned, mostly by police authorities.
- An additional 6,000 app-based cabs are being called up in batches, with 3,000 earmarked for the second phase beginning April 25.
- Force commandants alone will utilize approximately 450 such vehicles, while another 1,000 have already been allocated for various election-related purposes.
Impact on Transport and Public Response
The requisition is expected to disrupt daily commutes, with many residents, like Sangita Banerjee from Jodhpur Park, reporting that pool car services will be unavailable between April 27 and 31, forcing them to seek alternative arrangements. Most schools are scheduled to reopen by April 13, but the absence of these vehicles could pose challenges for student transportation.
Indranil Banerjee, convener of the West Bengal Online Cab Operators' Guild, highlighted that police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials are coordinating the requisition, with vehicles set to be released by April 25 for the first phase. Arupam Dutta from the Poolcar Owners' Welfare Association confirmed the large-scale requisition of pool cars, emphasizing the strain on the transport sector.
Challenges and Illegal Activities
Amid the requisition, police have reported encountering vehicles with fake 'booked' stickers and unauthorized 'EC papers,' indicating attempts to illegally avoid duty. Authorities are vigilant in cracking down on such malpractices to ensure a smooth and lawful election process.
Overall, this requisition drive underscores the extensive logistical efforts required for election management in Kolkata, while highlighting the temporary disruptions faced by the public and transport operators.
