A board at the proposed zero-tolerance zone and (below) bovine violation at Sati Choura in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Feb. 12: Zero-tolerance zone rules at the Sati Choura crossing in the city are not likely to come into effect from February 15.

In such zones, traffic rule violations such as not wearing helmets, three persons riding on a motorcycle, reckless driving, disobeying traffic signals, jaywalking, driving on the wrong side, using mobile phone while driving, not wearing seatbelts and overloading will be strictly dealt with.

Police had earlier announced that Sati Choura would become a no-tolerance zone from February 15. However, a lot of work is yet to be completed.

At present, marking zebra crossings, widening of the road, removal of electric poles and installation of high-mast lights are yet to be completed. So, it is expected that the introduction of the zero-tolerance plan could be delayed by around a week.

“Earlier, there were hurdles owing to the delay in construction and streamlining things at Sati Choura. But we hope that the zero-tolerance zone will be introduced soon,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.

There were also plans to turn Madhupatna and Khannagar crossings into zero-tolerance zones. But senior police officials decided to introduce the concept from Sati Choura.

Police officials said a lot of work, including the widening of the roads, relocation of digital traffic signals and the construction and development of road dividers, has been completed.

Work for the installation of a high-mast light is on, which is essential to regulate traffic after dark. After Sati Choura, zero-tolerance measures would be initiated at Khannagar and other places.

Sati Choura is one of the busiest traffic crossings in the city where traffic from CDA, Shelter Chhak, Dagarpada, Chandni Chowk, Orissa High Court and other prominent areas converge. It also acts as a connecting link for different areas including Bidanasi, Deulasahi, Tulsipur, Biju Patnaik Chhak, Cantonment and other areas.

Local residents have been complaining of rampant traffic violations owing to dysfunctional digital traffic signal at Sati Choura.

“The digital traffic signal at the crossing is not functioning owing to ongoing construction activities. We hope that when this becomes a zero-tolerance zone, instances of traffic rule violation will go down,” said Kedar Swain, a commuter.

Traffic violations have registered a sharp fall following the introduction of zero-tolerance measures at two places in Bhubaneswar last year.