According to the police, the special traffic drive launched in Patna has thrown up many good things - netting traffic norm violators, collecting a huge amount of penalty, checking daytime crime and keeping cops on their toes.

The men in uniform say that their increased presence on the roads to implement the drive is the reason for no incident of chain snatching being reported in the capital in four weeks. No complaint of extortion or unruly behaviour against police personnel has been received either.

Deputy inspector-general (DIG) (central range) Shalin, the brain behind the special drive to enforce traffic rules, said: "The most important thing is that the city recorded zero incident of daytime crime, such as chain snatching, in December (till Sunday)."

At least 14 incidents of chain snatching in Patna were lodged in October followed by 10 more in November this year. No such incident has been reported in December. "The drive against traffic rule violation has had its direct impact on law and order," Shalin said. "Around 55,000 vehicle owners have been issued challans (receipts for fines) for violating traffic rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The drive has helped deposition of more than Rs 60 lakh in fines in the state exchequer since the special drive was launched early in December."

Encouraged by the drive's success, senior police officers have decided to extend it to the capital's suburbs. "A similar drive will be launched in Bakhtiyarpur, Fatuha, Bihta, Masaurhi and Barh," said an officer. A final decision on the launch of the drive in rural areas of Patna will be taken at a meeting with DIG Shalin on Monday. The DIG is learnt to have summoned the SP (rural) and the east and west city superintendents (SPs) to draw up a plan.

In another first for the drive, women cops have been deployed in large numbers at strategic points to carry out checks. "Their (women's) presence has instilled confidence in the women, who are considered vulnerable to petty offences," said city SP (central) Chandan Kushwaha.

Women were all praise for the police for carrying out the special drive. "After a long time, policemen are visible on roads. Their presence has worked as a deterrent to anti-socials, who indulged in eve-teasing and chain-snatching," said Prabha, a paramedic at Patna Medical College and Hospital. She alleged that the situation had deteriorated so much a couple of months ago that women prefer not to wear gold chains and other precious jewellery even during the day in upmarket localities such as Rajendra Nagar. "We must thank the police for their new initiative," she added.

Rajendra Nagar, Kadamkuan, Pirbahore, Bazaar Samiti and Bhootnath Road in eastern Patna, and Rajvanshi Nagar, Patel Nagar, Ashiana-Digha road, Shri Krishna Puri and Patliputra Colony in western Patna have virtually turned into safe havens for chain snatchers, who are mostly teenagers.

DIG Shalin thought of launching the drive to enforce traffic rules when he saw two young men - who were riding without helmets - lying in a pool of blood after an accident on National Highway 31 near Zero Mile on the city outskirts. Shalin complimented the people for the drive's success. "This would have not been possible without the active support of the people of Patna," he said. "Their cooperation is laudable."