That's what traffic cops have been asked to do before they drag your car away for unauthorised parking. The photos, the police hope, will avoid disputes with vehicle owners
That's what traffic cops have been asked to do before they drag your car away for unauthorised parking. The photos, the police hope, will avoid disputes with vehicle owners
You are familiar with the not-so-friendly neighbourhood traffic policeman armed with a challan book frowning at you for parking in a no-parking slot. Now you will see him carrying a camera too.
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And before he signals the crane to pick your car and tow it away, he will click a few photographs of it.
The pictures, the traffic policemen hope, will help them avoid disputes with vehicle owners who often complain that their vehicle was wrongfully towed away.
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"Traffic inspectors manning towing cranes have been instructed to click photographs of every vehicle they pick from unauthorised parking areas so that in case of any complaint the vehicle owner can be shown the photographs as proof.
In the next couple of months every policeman in charge of a towing crane will be provided a camera. The Delhi traffic police are in the process of acquiring the cameras. "There is no deadline but the process will be started in the next few months," said Srivastava.
The traffic police currently have 53 cranes and are in the process of acquiring 150 more. While there will be 110 small cranes to tow vehicles weighing between one and two tonnes (two-wheelers, small cars and similar vehicles), forty cranes will be provided to lift vehicles weighing up to 2.3 tonnes (luxury cars and SUVs).
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"Every crane will have a driver and three helpers. The helpers will be provided uniforms and identity cards. They will report to a traffic inspector who will be with them whenever they tow a vehicle.
They will not be allowed to lift any vehicle without the inspector's presence," said a senior traffic official, wishing anonymity.
Traffic cops supervising the operation will maintain a register where they will note down the timing, location and other necessary details to avoid disputes.
"If the crane driver or helpers tow any vehicle without the traffic inspector's presence, they will be fined up to Rs 2,000.
In case of serious offences, they can be removed from their duties as well," said the official.
Other than this, the cops plan to ensure that vehicles are not damaged while being towed away. "If a vehicle owner's complaint that his car has been damaged while towing is found true, the crane contractor will be fined," said the official.
The traffic police tow around 1,500 vehicles per day. The vehicles are parked in pits which have been created in every district. The vehicle owner has to pay a fine of Rs 100 for wrong parking and another Rs 100 as towing fee.
Traffic inspectors manning towing cranes have been instructed to click photographs of every vehicle they pick from unauthorised parking areas so that in case of any complaint, the vehicle owner can be shown the photographs as proof Jt Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S N Srivastava
Tow timing
Vehicles towed everyday: 1,500
Fine: Rs 100 for wrong parking and Rs 100 as towing fee
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