Policemen in masks crack down on helmet-less bikers on Jugsalai-Bistupur road, while (below) an auto-rickshaw at Bistupur-Adityapur stand is picked for a wheel locker demonstration on Thursday. Pictures by Bhola Prasad

The excitement was palpable, the efficiency noticeable.

No, the road monitors were not worked up about any high-profile visit; they had just been blessed with a whole arsenal of gadgets to streamline traffic and discipline rogue motorists. And, their votes clearly went to two among many — oxygen masks and wheel lockers.

In all, 600 oxygen masks were distributed earlier this week among the five traffic outposts of the city — Sakchi, Mango, Bistupur, Jugsalai and Golmuri.

Jugsalai traffic inspector Kuldeep Toppo said his men were more than grateful for the masks that reduced the risk of carbon monoxide inhalation and respiratory problems by almost 90 per cent.

“Manning traffic on Jugsalai-Bistupur main road for hours is not just a test of patience, but it also poses health risk given the volume of smoke-belching vehicles. The masks release oxygen when necessary and prevent toxic gases from entering the body. My boys are very upbeat. In the past, many of them have had breathing problems,” Toppo said.

More than 100,000 vehicles, mostly trucks and trailers from Bistupur, Tatanagar and Adityapur, cross the said artery every day. A medical camp — held sometime ago at the East Singhbhum district police barracks in Golmuri — had diagnosed around 30 per cent of the 130-strong force with high blood pressure and respiratory problems.

But now, the men in uniform are breathing easy.

“Bahut acha lag raha hai. Dhuan aur dhul se bahut pareshani hoti thi. Lekin isse kafi rahat hai (I am feeling very relieved. Smoke and dust caused much irritation. Not any more, thanks to the oxygen mask),” said a traffic constable at Jugsalai roundabout.

Wheel lockers — 50 of which were added to the district traffic department armoury — were the other favourite among road watchdogs. Ten of them were clamped on parking offenders — mostly SUVs — in Sakchi and Bistupur, while the gadgets were also on duty in Jugsalai.

Bistupur traffic inspector Kamta Ram gave thumbs up to the new system.

“Earlier, we had to paste prosecution slips on vehicles found in no-parking zones. The violators usually failed to turn up for paying fines at respective traffic outposts. The fines were paid after issuance of summons from Jamshedpur civil court,” he said.

However, now with wheels locked, parking offenders have no choice but to pay the fine at the traffic outpost the same day. Else, their vehicles stay where they are, he added.

According to Ram, six vehicles on Bistupur Main Road were locked and later released for a fine of Rs 500 each. “Similar exercises were carried out in Jugsalai and Sakchi market too. Four vehicles were penalised in the latter,” he said.

DSP (traffic) R.M. Sinha said they were just glad to be relieved of the burden of towing away vehicles. “We have only one crane for the entire city. Given its size, it cannot enter congested market lanes. Now, we have 50 wheel lockers to crack down against illegal parking,” he added.

Avishkar Bhandari, an accountant with a private bank in Bistupur, praised the smarter traffic police.

“Walking on pavements in Bistupur market area is often an arduous task, thanks to the haphazard parking of SUVs. Today (Thursday) was different. I am glad the police are using wheel lockers. They will act as a deterrent to illegal parking,” he said.

Not everyone was as happy though. SCCI secretary Vijay Anand Moonka pointed to the need for better parking provisions before enforcing regulations. “Bistupur and Sakchi pockets have little or no provision for parking. We have submitted petitions to respective civic bodies, but in vain. You cannot blame people for parking violations in such a situation,” he said.

Is the demand for parking lots before crackdown justified?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com