Cuttack, July 9: At a time when traffic rules are being openly flouted at zero-tolerance Satichoura junction, police are planning to extend the concept to Mangalabag, Ranihat, Khannagar and Madhupatna traffic junctions.

The lack of regular awareness and enforcement drives at major traffic signals are to blame for such rampant violations that are causing problems to a large number of people, especially pedestrians.

Many believe that lack of strict enforcement at the traffic junctions is likely to affect the proposals of the police to introduce the zero-tolerance concepts at four more traffic junctions in the city - Mangalabag, Ranihat, Khannagar and Madhupatna.

Official sources said basic traffic violations, including jumping red-light, not wearing seat belt or helmet, talking on the phone while driving and triple riding will attract a minimum penalty of Rs 500.

"There is absolutely no check as the traffic constables managing the traffic posts hardly take action or warn the commuters for basic traffic violations such as jumping the red light or not crossing at the zebra crossing," said Pradip Sahu, a commuter, adding that minor mishaps were occurring at traffic signals owing to such violations. Besides, it is causing inconvenience to the commuters who do follow traffic rules.

In most cases, it is only a traffic constable manning a junction with the help of a home guard. Consequently, it is not practically possible to ensure road discipline and check traffic violations on their part. The cops should deploy extra manpower to check such violations by penalizing the violators, Sahu said.

Many commuters are of the view that the selection of Satichoura junction as a zero-tolerance zone in 2012 was wrong because there was not enough infrastructure to enforce it.

There is a natural slope on both sides of the crossing - from Ashwini hospital and Indira Gandhi Women's College side. It is for this reason that most of the motorists try to reach to a higher elevation, which ultimately result in zebra crossing violations here.

"No concrete measures have been taken to curb the menace of rash or triple riding and the use of mobile phones while driving. The entire campaign of road safety and discipline has taken a beating in the city," said Sanjay Mohanty, another commuter.

The decision to create awareness by fixing up boards at various important places, especially at traffic signals, about traffic violations and dos and don'ts are yet to be implemented.

Senior officials said a committee had been formed to review various traffic related issues and soon, a special drive would be launched to check such violations.

"We have already started the process of setting up zero-tolerance zone boards at various traffic crossings and adequate steps would be taken against violators at major traffic junctions," said P.K. Dalai, assistant commissioner of police (traffic).