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112 Chapter – III EVOLUTION OF TRAFFIC POLICE
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Chapter – III
EVOLUTION OF TRAFFIC POLICE
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3. EVOLUTION OF TRAFFIC POLICE
3.1 Introduction
3.2 History of World Traffic
3.3 History of Indian Traffic
3.4 History of Tamil Nadu Police
3.5 Origin and Growth of Chennai Traffic Police
3.6 Conclusion
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3.1 INTRODUCTION
“Each one of us can not do great things but surely each one of us can
do small things greatly”
Traffic is a movement. Movement is imperative in a society where
individuals depend upon one another. Ivan illich1 has distinguished the term of
traffic as “Traffic means any movement of people from one place to another
when they are outside of their homes. Bawa, P.S2 said that traffic comprises
elements and their interaction. The elements are vehicles, roads, and transport
system, all set in an environment. The growth of the automobile and its
popularity in use has created three distinct problems such as requirements of
space, creation of conflict and increase in hazards. In India in the middle of 20th
century nobody was aware of traffic and its roles but after 1980 people are
penalized for traffic violation in almost all metropolitan cities across the
country because it is consuming most of the travellers’ precious time and
disturbing regular function. Even though various necessary steps have been
taken such as construction of flyover, subways, widening of roads, make one
way and so on, traffic congestion could not be reduced because of increased use
of vehicles and lack of proper infrastructure.
The road facilities have become insufficient for the vehicles to move,
because of rapid increase in the number of vehicles day by day. This is also one
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of the major reasons for traffic congestion. The present day traffic job has
become very tough and a challenging one for traffic police in Chennai city. So
this tedious job obviously makes them more stressful. This chapter explains
history of world traffic, Indian traffic, history of Tamil Nadu police and origin
and development of traffic police in Chennai city.
3.2 HISTORY OF WORLD TRAFFIC
Over a million of years ago, the only element of interest was natural
environment and then, has arrived man. At first he was confined to the Garden
of Eden. He worked, played and lived all in one place and it was truly paradise.
For thousands of centuries man stayed close to his habitat, venturing only as far
as his legs could carry him, till some lazy idler rolled a log home and invented
the wheel. Wheel got invented in the Mesopotamian Civilization3; our own
civilization was set to motion, for it wheeled our imagination. The wheel’s
impetus to trade and commerce made the market place the hub of human
activities. In 1645 a sort of cycle was invented by Jean Theson4 but it had no
Brakes, Pedal or Steering and needed feet motion. Laufmachine cycle was
created by Karl Von (1817)5. Soon this was made into the Regal Dandy Horse
by Dennis Johnson6. In 1839 the proper cycle was shaped by K. Macmillan7. It
had iron wheels and a wooden frame. The manifestation of automobile horse-
power was taught in 1769 by Nicolas Joseph Cugnot8, who invented the first
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'Steam Truck' which the French army thought was useful. Thereafter,
automobiles enveloped our life and culture.
3.2.1. THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF WORLD
TRAFFIC SYSTEM
In 1771 the first motor vehicle accident occurred in Paris when Cugnot's
steam tractor hit a low wall in the grounds of the Paris arsenal. The
Locomotives and Highway Act was the first piece of British motoring
legislation. This was also known as the Red Flag Act of 18659. This act required
three persons such as one to steer, one to stoke and one to walk 60 yards ahead
with a red flag to warn the oncoming traffic. The world's first car number plates
were issued by the French police in 189310. In 1895 John Henry Knight11 was
convicted and fined for using a motor-tricycle on the highway. He was probably
the first motorist to appear in court. The first motor-car accident in Britain
resulting in the death of the driver occurred in Grove Hill, Harrow-on-the Hill,
London, on 25th February 1899. Then onward, the world coined several road
safety measures. Still, the present scenario is that five lakh people are killed and
millions are injured all over the world every year in road accidents. This
accident menace makes our children an endangered species of the future. So we
should teach our children about the Road Safety Culture.
The driving license system was first introduced in 1903 in Great
Britain12. The driver was required to pay $ 1 towards registration and 5 senses
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for the driving license. The Motor Car Act of Britain came into force on 1st
January 190413. It required that all cars be registered and carry a number plate
and all motorists to have a driving license. But there was no driving test to pass
and the license was obtained by filling up a form and paying the fee at a post
office. This act made dangerous driving an indictable offence. The first petrol
pump was installed in USA in 1906. Traffic signal was invented by Police
Officer, William L. Potts14. The World's first traffic lights were installed in
Detroit, USA in 1919. The first traffic lights in Britain were installed in Wolver
Hampton during 192815. However, it was not used in London till 1932. In 1934
the pedestrian crossings were instituted in Britain. The roads were marked by
dotted lines. On the pavement there were striped Belisha beacon light poles
named after Britain's Minister of Transport L. Hore-Belisha. The Zebra crossing
with black and white stripes was developed after the Second World War. Police
women were used for traffic control duties for the first time in Paris in 1964.
Box junctions marked with yellow cross-hatch were introduced in London
during 1964.
3.3 HISTORY OF INDIAN TRAFFIC
The traffic system was implemented very late in India when compared to
other developed nations. The first car in India was that of Mr. Foster of
M/s. Cromptom Greaves Company7. It was brought to India in 1897. The first
Indian to own a car was Mr. Jamshedji Tata in 190116. The first woman to drive
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a car in India was Mrs. Suzanne R.D. Tata around 190517. Before 1928 there
was no separate traffic police department in India. The general police personnel
used to regulate the traffic system in all cities. After the phenomenal increase
vehicles and pedestrians, the city police commissioners faced problems in
managing traffic because of lack of police personnel. So they requested the
government to increase police personnel in order to do effective traffic
management. The Indian government understood the situation and formed a
separate department for traffic police in all capital cities such as Delhi, Calcutta,
Mumbai and Chennai in September, 192918. This traffic system was designed
by Charles Cuningham, Commissioner of Police. In India the first woman
traffic police was introduced in Delhi in 198919. In India the first Motor
Vehicles Act was implemented in 193920 to regulate motor vehicles. This act
was modified several times to keep it up to date. This act covers many things
such as issuing driving license, registration of motor vehicles, control of
transport vehicles, construction, equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles,
control of traffic, insurance of motor vehicles against third party risks, motor
vehicles temporarily leaving or visiting India, claims tribunals and offences,
penalties and procedure and miscellaneous.
3.4 HISTORY OF TAMIL NADU POLICE
In 1659 Pedda Naik21 was engaged by the British to Guard the town of
Madraspatanam (Chennai) with the assistance of peons. The system was
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tremnant of the ‘Kaval’ organization. In 1770 the Board of Police was
constituted by the Governor Josios DuPre22 to deal with public nuisance, and
maintenance of public health and order.
In 1771 Governor Stratton23 appointed “Kotwal” or overseer of markets
to control prices of commodities in the market and to make the tradesmen
“behave”. In 1780 the post of Superintendent of Police was created to supervise
the markets and to reduce the prices of provisions. In 1782 comprehensive plan
for the police was prepared by S. Popham24 to promote health and to prevent
impositions and frauds. In 1791 institution of Kotwal Police was abolished
because complaints were received that some of the police officers were
extracting more money from merchants by misusing this law.
In 1806 Walter Grant25 became the first Superintendent of the City
Police with three Police Magistrates. In 1815 Thomas Harris26, Superintendent
of Police, Madras, formulated the city pattern of policing and divided the area
into eight divisions for effective control. From 1829 to 1832 at the
recommendation of George Norton, Advocate General, Madras City was
divided into four Districts namely Black Town, Triplicane, Vepery and St.
Thomas (Santhome). In 1834 Francis Kelly and Vambaukkam Raghavachariar27
became the first Indians to be inducted as Police Magistrate and Deputy
Superintendent of Police. In 1856 Police Act XII was passed by Legislative
Council of the Governor General. J.C Boudlerson28 became the first
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Commissioner of Police under the new Act. In 1858 W. Robinson29, a
covenanted civil servant was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of Police
(CGP). The proposal submitted by Robinson formed on the basis of present day
district Police. The 1859 Act XXIV marks the beginning of Modern Madras
Police. The Act was also the forerunner for the Police Commission set up by the
Government of India in 1906. In 186530 Free Masons Lodge Building "Perfect
Unanimity" (Present Police Headquarters) was taken on lease by the Police for
a rent of Rs.90 per month. In 1874 Madras Presidency Police bought the Police
Headquarters Building for a sum of Rs.20, 000. An additional sum of Rs.10,
000 was spent on expansion and repairs. In 1884 Malappuram Special Police
was formed to deal with periodical outbreaks of Muslim fanaticism by Moplahs.
In 1895 Finger Print Bureau was established in Madras.
In 1902 the Madras City with an area of 29 square miles and population
of 5, 09, 346 was divided into two ranges such as northern range and southern
range. Deputy Commissioner was appointed to control northern range and
southern range under the direct control of Commissioner of Police assisted by a
Chief Superintendent. H.A. Stuart31, Inspector General of Police, Madras
Presidency was appointed Secretary of All India Police Commission. In 1905
Police Training School was strengthened and equipped to train the new cadre of
Sub-Inspectors who were to replace the old Station House Officers (who were
Head Constables). In 1906 Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was
established. F. Fawcett32 was appointed as Deputy Inspector of General. In 1909
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the King's Police Medal was instituted for Gallantry and Distinguished Service.
In 1912 Presidency Police Sports was inaugurated. In 1919 Diwan Bahadur
Parankusam Naidu33 was appointed as Commissioner of Police. He is the first
Indian to occupy the post. P.B. Thomas34, I.P., became the first Police Officer to
be appointed as Inspector General of Police to head the Police Department.
In 1921 Malabar Special Armed Police was formed in the wake of
Moplah rebellion. In 1923 H.G. Stokes35 was appointed as Special Officer for
re-organisation of Armed Reserves and Special Police Parties. Malabar Special
Armed Police was equipped with "Marconi" wireless sets. It was the first police
organisation to use wireless for operations in Madras State. In 1928 The
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was divided into Special Branch and
Crime Branch. In 1929 Madras City Police was re-organised with functional
divisions of Crime, Law and Order and Traffic. In 1931 Statutory rules for the
Madras Police Subordinate Service came into force. In 1935 "Village Vigilance
Committees" was constituted to enlist public Co-operation. In 1946 Police
Wireless Commissioned Captain Clamp36 was appointed as first Police Wireless
Officer.
In 1947 T.G. Sanjeevi37, from Madras became the first Indian to occupy
the Post of Director, Intelligence Bureau, New Delhi. In 1951 Madras Police
Dog squad was formed. Madras became the pioneer in India after Independence
to use dogs in the prevention and detection of crime. In 1956 Police Radio
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Office was established. Single Digit Finger Print Section was established by
Finger Print Bureau. In 1957 Headquarters of the MSP (Tamil Nadu) was
shifted to Thiruchirapalli. The Centenary year of Tamil Nadu Police was
celebrated in 1959. In 1960 Police Research Centre (PRC) was formed. In 1961
Dog squad was established at Madurai and government sanctioned to establish
State Forensic Science Laboratory. In 1963 City Police Hospital at Madras
(Originally formed as a dispensary) was converted as a full fledged Hospital.
Home Guards were created to assist police. H.A. Stuart, Inspector General of
Police, Madras Presidency was appointed Secretary of All India Police
Commission. Tamil Nadu is the only State in the country that has the distinction
of constituting its own Police Commission as far back as in 1969. It has yet
again constituted the 3rd Police Commission under the Chairmanship of
Poornalingam, IAS (Retired.) in order to effectively reform and equip the force
to meet new challenges
In 1971 "Police Computer Wing", Madras was established. Tamil Nadu
was the first State to start Computerisation. Tamil Nadu Police Commission
was set up under the Chairmanship of Gopalswamy Iyengar38. Special Cell CID
was formed to deal with extremists activities. This was later known as Q Branch
CID. In 197339 Women Constables and Women Sub-Inspectors were recruited
in Tamil Nadu Police for the first time. In 1976 Police Transport Workshop
cum training school in Avadi started functioning. Security Branch was
constituted in CID. In 1979 the Post of Director General of Police was created
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to head the Police Department E.L. Stracey40 I.P. was the first Director General
of Police of Tamil Nadu. In 1981 Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation was
formed. In 1984 Forest Cell CID in Madras was formed. In 1985 T.S.P. VIII
and T.S.P IX Battalions were formed. In 1987 Regional Police Transport
workshop was opened in Trichy. In 1989 Tamil Nadu Police Housing
Corporation merged with Tamil Nadu Housing Board and Control Room was
opened in the Directorate of Civil Defence. The same year Police Commission
was appointed under the Chairmanship of former Chief Secretary Sabanayagam
.Dr.R.Rajagopalan I.P.S. was appointed as the Member Secretary of the
Commission.
In 1991 Uniformed Service Recruitment Board was constituted for the
recruitment of personnel in the non-gazetted category for the uniformed
departments Police, Prison and Fire Services. Once again the Tamil Nadu
Police Housing Corporation started functioning as a separate entity. In 1992 the
first Women Police Station was opened at Thousand Lights in Chennai headed
by a Woman Inspector. Subsequently Women Police Stations were opened in
all districts. In 1993 separate establishment for Human Rights Special Task
Force was formed. In 1994 Coastal Security Group was constituted first in the
country to strengthen the security of the 1000 km long Tamil Nadu coastal line.
In 1995 Chief Office of "Government House" was shifted from Trichy to
Chennai. The first phase of the Pilot Project on Computerisation of Police
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Stations was introduced in four police stations. In 1997 Swift Action Force
(SAF) was formed to deal with communal riots.
In the new millennium of 200141, the Tamil Nadu Police had the strength
of 91,341. There were 11 police ranges, 32 police districts including two
railway districts, six commissionerates, 189 sub-divisions, 287 circles and 1276
police stations including women police stations. In 2002 "Police Personnel
Grievance Redressal Day" was conducted by the Honourable Chief Minister.
Four zones were created, each headed by an IGP with headquarters at Chennai,
Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai. In 200342 one Mobile Police Station and 80
highway patrol vehicles were introduced to improve highway surveillance and
reduce accidents. Besides 117 police clubs were opened all over the state. In
2004 "Woman Police Battalion of Tamilnadu Special Police" was formed. It is
the first such battalion in India. In this year "Integrated Modern Police Control
Room" was opened at Chennai City. In 2005 Chengai East District merged with
the Commissionerate of Chennai Police. The greater Chennai police have a
jurisdiction over 588.7 square kilometers, with 156 police stations, the largest
commissionerate in the country. A new building for State Crime Records
Bureau (SCRB) was inaugurated. It is a state-of-the-art facility such as Finger
Print Bureau, Police Computer Wing, Modus Operandi Bureau and Statistical
Wing. In 200643 Asia’s Largest Modern Prison called Puzhal Prison was
inaugurated.
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Chennai Police after having gloriously traversed 150 years (1856 to
2006) on the sands of time celebrated its Sesquicentennial on 4th January
200744. Hyundai Motors Ltd., has presented 100 Hyundai Accent Cars as a
goodwill gesture to augment the Chennai City Patrolling fleet. Honourable
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, during the 150 years inaugural, presented
Hyundai Accent Patrol Cars to the Commissioner of Police and released a film
titled `Kavalar Ungal Sevagar’ depicting the human face of Police.
Chennai Police is the only force in the country having a fleet of sedans.
A seminar was organized in connection with the celebration. It was attended by
distinguished police officers as well as leading luminaries from the length and
breadth of this country, before curtains were drawn by His Excellency the
President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on 6th January 2007. Ariyalur district
was newly formed, bifurcating the erstwhile Perambalur district. Tamil Nadu
Police has embarked on a planned modernization exercise with emphasis on
capabilities to counter Terrorism, Cyber Crimes, Video Piracy, Organized
Crimes and Economic Offences. An amount of Rs. 68 crores was allocated for
this purpose in 2006-0745, out of which Rs. 18 crores was set apart for Chennai
Police to strengthen its infrastructure and mobility. Foundation stone for the
construction of Chennai Police Commissioner's Office at a cost of Rs. 20.65
crores was laid by Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 4th January 2007
and a proposal for the construction of new annex to the DGP's office at a cost of
Rs.20.31 crores has been sanctioned by the Government.
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In 200846 Tamil Nadu Police Celebrated Sesquicentennial (150 Years).
Chennai Police has been bifurcated as Chennai City Police Commissionerate
and Chennai Sub-Urban Commissionerate. Tamil Nadu Police Academy was
inaugurated at Oonamancheri, Vandalur and Chennai. Tamil Nadu DGP
launched the redesigned Tamil Nadu Police Official Website with e-
Governance facility. The valuable contributions and new paradigms of
community policing pioneered by enterprising officers of Tamil Nadu Police
have been acclaimed and appreciated by several nations. The re-launch of the
Police Image Project is silently and surely changing the perception of the public
towards the police by building bridges of friendship and goodwill between
them. Police of Tamil Nadu today are no longer considered mere sentinels of
the criminal justice system but are regarded as the partners of the public in
building a safe, secure and a vibrant Tamil Nadu.
3.4.1 DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIVISION IN TAMIL NADU POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Tamil Nadu Police is headed by a Director General of Police who guides
and supervises all aspects of policing in the State. Different wings of the
department are headed by officers of the rank of Directors General of Police,
Additional Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police who
assist the Director General of Police in maintaining a high level of professional
functioning.
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For purposes of administrative convenience, the state is divided into four
zones such as Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Chennai. Each zone is
headed by an officer rank of Inspector General of Police and all the four zones
function under the direct supervision of Additional Director General of Police
(Law & Order). A number of special units / wings attend to specific aspects of
policing. The Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation is headed by a DGP rank
officer. This officer looks after the construction, repair, maintenance of police
buildings and their residential accommodation. The Tamil Nadu Uniformed
Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), headed by a DGP rank officer is
assisted by an ADGP and an IGP. They are responsible for recruitment of
constables and sub-Inspectors apart from firemen and jail wardens.
A Crime Wing under an ADGP consists of the Special Investigation
Team (SIT) 47 for the investigation and prosecution of cases against
fundamentalists. The Narcotic Intelligence Bureau for action against drug
peddlers, the Video Piracy Cell to curb piracy of video CDs and DVDs and the
Anti-Dacoity Cell for prevention and detection of dacoities are in existence.
Cases of atrocities against persons belonging to SCs/STs are dealt with by
Social Justice Wing of CID headed by an IGP. Training of Police personnel is
looked after by the training wing headed by an officer in the rank of DGP.
An officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police looks
after Special Operations (which includes Tamil Nadu commando force and
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Tamil Nadu commando school) and special task force in the State. The
sanctioned strength of IPS cadre in Tamil Nadu is 214, but the actual working
strength as on 28th Feb 200748 was 188. The total sanctioned strength of the
executive staff as on 28th Feb 2007 was 98,702 and the sanctioned strength of
ministerial staff 5,389.
Tamilnadu police organizational chart of the different units and
hierarchical arrangement within the organizational structure of the departments
are given below.
3.5 ORIGIN AND GRWOTH OF CHENNAI TRAFFIC POLICE
The system of policing in Madras City (Chennai) existed as early as in
the 16th Century49. At the time it was a very simple system consisting of a
Group of 'Peons' or 'Watchers' who served under the hereditary officials known
as the 'Poligrs'. In this age old system of policing, duty was detection of crime.
The Act enacted in 185650 created the heads of town police of Calcutta
(Kolkotta), Bombay (Mumbai) and Madras (Chennai) who were designated as
Commissioner of Police. With this act the history of Madras policing system
had its genesis.
In 1928, the Inspector General and the Commissioner of Police requested
the Government to sanction extra staff to deal with increasing traffic related
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problems, but the government remained tardy to concede their request. In due
course the Government had to realize the need of improving the traffic
department by increasing its staff strength. Thus a seed was sown for creating a
separate "Traffic Police".
In the year 1929, the entire organisation was recast and remodelled on
"Functional Division" as designed by Sir Charles Cunnigham51, Commissioner
of Police. It came into effects from 1st September 1929. Policing was divided
into three divisions namely Law and Order, Crime and Traffic.
The year 1929 is a landmark in the history of Madras City (Chennai)
Traffic Police. As the prevailing system of work and the territorial division of
the city into ranges were found to be unsatisfactory and detrimental to
efficiency, the entire organization was remodelled. Responsibility in respect of
all matters relating to traffic was assigned to a new Deputy Commissioner of
Police who was also in charge of licensing, Harbour policing and the
Langarkhana. The first Deputy Commissioner of traffic police was Mr. MD.
Ziauddin Sahib52, I.P in 1929. Traffic points in the city were increased from
1965 to 1986.
Traffic police check motor vehicles on roads and parking places with a
view to enforce the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and Road Traffic Code.
Control of traffic grew into a big and complex problem after the end of the First
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World War. The Chennai Traffic police underwent a series of changes in its
organization during the 20th Century. This increase in workload necessitated
creation of a new post of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic and
Licensing in 1934 for Madras City (Chennai) 53.
The year 1939 was notable for the introduction of the Madras Motor
Vehicle Act54 by means of which new motor vehicle rule and the Road Traffic
Rules were brought into force. The most radical changes were constituted
enabling Road Traffic Boards to take over licensing powers held solely by the
police. The changes brought out by the new rules resulted in considerable
improvement in the control of Motor Traffic.
The growth of the city traffic police is always linked with the expansion
and development of Chennai City with the rapid increase in number of vehicles
on the roads. At present Chennai Traffic police is covering an area of 874 Sq
kms and more than 3200 Kms of Road. In 199755 Chennai city was divided into
two districts namely South and North district. Both the districts were
administered by two Deputy Commissioners. In order to have an effective
control of supervision over these two deputy commissioners the first Joint
Commissioner of Police for traffic was posted in 1997. The first Joint
Commissioner was Mr. R. Sekar IPS56. In 2005 Chennai City was divided into
three districts namely Central, South and North districts.
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In the year 2007, the existing post of the Joint Commissioner of Police
was upgraded as the Additional Commissioner of Police for traffic and thereby
bringing the second Additional Commissioner of Police to the Chennai City.
Mr. Sunil Kumar, IPS57, Inspector General of Police, was posted as the first
Additional Commissioner of Police for traffic in Chennai. The services of
Women Police have been utilized by Chennai Traffic Police since 2006.
At present the traffic police are functioning as traffic enforcement and
traffic investigation wings. The traffic police of enforcement wing are
responsible for the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. The traffic
police of investigation wing are responsible for the investigation of Road
Traffic Accidents.
In Chennai traffic police department there are one additional
Commissioner of Police (ACP), three Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP),
one Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), nine Assistant
Commissioners of Police (ACP), 34 Reserve inspectors (RI), 168 Reserve
Sub-inspectors (RSI), 1264 Head Constable (HC), 344 Grade-1-Police,
257 Grade-2-Police as on December, 200858.
Traffic Police has two types of work shift59 for Head Constables,
Grade-I-Police and Grade-II-Police. The shift timings are 6 am to 10 am,
10 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 6 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm. Traffic police who have
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shift time from 6 am to 10 am again come and work 2 pm to 6 pm on the same
day. Traffic police who have shift time from 10 am to 2 pm again come and
work from 6 pm to 10 pm on the same day. The shift times and places of work
(traffic signal) get changed weekly within traffic police station limit. Reserve
sub-inspectors and Reserve inspectors work in general shifts from 9 am to 5 pm.
3.5.1 STEPS TAKEN BY THE TRAFFIC POLICE
The following steps have been taken by Chennai traffic police to reduce
traffic congestion in city.
1. Flyovers have been built to reduce traffic congestion at major
places.
2. Implementation of one way at congested area for smooth traffic
flow.
3. Road divider has been built almost all over Chennai city to avoid
accident and smooth traffic flow.
4. Timers have been fixed at main signals to make the public aware of
vehicles waiting minutes at signal places. Based on this time,
vehicles riders can save fuel consumption by way of switching off
and switching on the engine.
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5. Cameras have been fixed hidden at major junctions to monitor
traffic violation as well as for common security reasons for the
public.
6. Implementation of separate track for two/three wheeler and four
wheelers to avoid clash of vehicles, accidents, and to maintain
smooth flow of traffic.
7. Traffic rule has been implemented for Trucks and Lorries. These
vehicles should not enter inside the city from 8 am to 8pm to avoid
traffic congestions.
8. Implementation of speed limit for vehicles to avoid collision and
accidents. The speed limit for autos is below 25 kilometers from
7 am to 10 pm and below 30 kilometers from 10 pm to 7 am. The
speed limit for heavy motor vehicles is below 35 kilometers from
7 am to 10 pm and below 40 kilometers from 10 pm to 7 am. Light
motor vehicles and two wheelers have the speed limit below
40 kilometers from 7 am to 10 pm and below 50 kilometers from
10 pm to 7 am60.
9. Subways have been built at certain places to avoid traffic
congestions and accidents.
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3.5.2 OVERVIEW OF CHENNAI TRAFFIC POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chennai city consists of three districts namely North district, Central
district and South district. Each district is administered by one Deputy
Commissioner of Police under the dynamic control of an Additional
Commissioner of Police. Each district is divided into three sub-divisions. Each
Assistant Commissioner is controls one sub-division. Each sub-division is
divided into different ranges. Each range is controlled by one Reserve
Inspector. The Reserve Inspectors strength gets increased based on population
size. Each range is divided into different stations. The Central and North district
have 20 traffic police stations. The South district has traffic police station in
28 places. Totally, around 2067 police personnel are working in the traffic
police department in Chennai City.
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FIGURE 3.1
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF CHENNAI TRAFFIC POLICE
Source: Record of Chennai traffic police department
3.5.2.1 CHENNAI NORTH DISTRICT TRAFFIC POLICE
This district has been divided into three sub divisions namely North
beach, Flower bazaar, and Ennoor. These three sub-divisions are divided into
10 ranges. Further, these 10 ranges are divided into 20 police stations. The
North District has Nine Reserve Inspectors, 39 Reserve Sub-Inspectors,
381 Head Constable, 101 Grade-I-Police and 53 Grade-II-Police.
CHENNAI
NORTH DISTRICT CENTRAL DISTRICT SOUTH DISTRICT
3 SUB DIVISIONS 1. North Beach 2. Flower Bazaar 3. Ennoor
3 SUB DIVISIONS 1. Anna Nagar 2. Triplicane 3. Poonamallee
3 SUB DIVISIONS 1. T.Nagar 2. Adyar St. Mount
20 POLICE STATIONS
10 RANGES 13 RANGES
20 POLICE STATIONS
11 RANGES
28 POLICE STATIONS
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TABLE 3.1
STATION AND STAFF DETAILS OF CHENNAI NORTH DISTRICT
1. Reserve Inspector, 2. Reserve Sub-Inspector, 3. Head Constable,
4. Grade-I-Police, 5. Grade-II-Police
Name of the Sub Division
Name of the Range S.No Name of the Station 1 2 3 4 5 Total
North Beach
North Beach 1 B1 North Beach 1 3 34 5 6 49
2 B3 Fort 0 2 20 3 3 28
Washermenpet
3 H1 Washermenpet 1 2 22 4 4 33
4 H3 Tondiarpet 0 1 18 4 3 26
5 H5 New Washermenpet 0 1 22 1 0 24
6 H8 Thiruvotriyur 0 2 6 2 0 10
Royapuram 7 N1 Royapuram 1 2 27 2 2 34
8 N3 Muthayalpet 0 2 22 4 0 28
F.S.N 9 FS (North) 1 0 13 1 0 15
Flower Bazaar
Flower Bazaar 10 C1 Flower Bazaar 1 3 34 6 5 49
11 C5 Kothaval Chavadi 0 1 24 4 1 30
Elephantgate 12 C.2 Elephantgate 1 3 31 7 3 45
Pulianthope
13 P1 Pulianthope 1 2 21 2 0 26
14 P3 Viyasarpadi 0 2 16 2 0 20
15 P6 Kodungaiyur 0 2 5 0 0 7
Sembiam 16 K1 Sembiam 1 2 25 9 1 38
Ennoor
Madavaram 17 M1 Madavaram 0 2 11 11 1 25
18 M4 Red Hills 0 2 11 10 1 24
Ennore 19 M5 Ennore 0 2 3 5 11 21
20 M6 Manali and Sathangadu
1 3 16 19 12 51
Total 9 39 381 101 53 583
Source: Record of Chennai traffic police department
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3.5.2.2 CHENNAI CENTRAL DISTRICT TRAFFIC POLICE
The central district has three sub-divisions, namely, Anna Nagar,
Triplicane, and Ponnamalle. These three sub-divisions are divided into
13 ranges. Further, these 13 ranges are divided into 20 stations. Each range is
controlled by one Reserve Inspector except Koyambedu range. Koyambedu
range is controlled by 2 Reserve Inspectors. The Central district has 14 Reserve
Inspectors, 61 Reserve Sub-Inspectors, 408 Head Constable, 122
Grade-I-Police and 93 Grade-II-Police.
138
TABLE 3.2
STATION AND STAFF DETAILS OF CHENNAI CENTRAL DISTRICT
Name of the Sub Division
Name of the Range S.No Name of the
Station 1 2 3 4 5 Total
Anna Nagar
Annanagar
1 K4 Annanagar 1 4 21 7 5 38
2 K3 Aminjakarai 0 2 24 1 2 29
3 K7 ICF 0 1 19 2 0 22
Koyambedu 4 K10 Koyambedu 2 6 42 10 4 64
Vepery
5 G1 Vepery 1 4 31 8 8 52
6 G.2 Periyamet 0 2 24 3 0 29
7 G3 Kilpauk 0 3 33 2 2 40
Villivakkam 8 V1 Villivakkam 1 3 11 1 0 16
9 V5 Thriumangalam 0 4 16 2 0 22
Triplicane
Triplicane 10 D1 Triplicane 1 6 31 6 1 45
Annasalai 11 D2 Annasalai 1 5 28 13 0 47
Egmore 12 F2 Egmore 1 3 19 5 8 36
Nungambakkam 13 F3 Nungambakkam 1 4 25 4 4 38
14 G.5 Chetpet 0 3 15 2 3 23
FSC 15 FSC 1 0 0 7 0 8
Ponnamalle
Poonamallee 16 T12 Poonamallee 1 2 18 15 12 48
SRMC 17 T15 SRMC 1 2 15 5 21 44
Ambattur 18 T6 Avadi 0 2 9 6 3 20
19 T1 Ambattur and Estate
1 3 18 18 10 50
Maduravoyal 20 T4 Maduravoyal 1 2 9 5 10 27
Total 14 61 408 122 93 698
Source: Record of Chennai traffic police department
139
3.5.2.3 CHENNAI SOUTH DISTRICT TRAFFIC POLICE
The South District is divided into three sub-divisions. They are T. Nagar,
Adyar, and St.T.Mount. These three sub-divisions are divided into 12 ranges.
Further, these 12 ranges are further divided into 28 stations. The South district
has 11 Reserve Inspectors, 68 Reserve Sub-Inspectors, 475 Head Constable,
121 Grade-I-Police and 112 Grade-II-Police.
140
TABLE 3.3
STATION AND STAFF DETAILS OF SOUTH CHENNAI DISTRICT
Name of the Sub Division
Name of the Range S.No
Name of the Station
1 2 3 4 5 Total
T.Nagar
Saidapet 1 J1 Saidapet 1 3 30 5 5 44 2 J3 Guindy 0 5 25 5 4 39 3 J7 Velachery 0 2 12 3 9 26
F.S.S 4 E3 Tenampet 0 3 38 3 2 46 5 FS (South) 1 0 5 4 3 13
Mambalam 6 R1 Mambalam 1 5 30 2 5 43 7 R4 Pondy Bazaar 0 3 25 3 4 35
Kodambakkam
8 R2 Kodambakkam 0 3 31 1 2 37 9 R3 Ashok Nagar 1 3 23 5 0 32 10 R7 K.K.Nagar 0 2 5 1 0 8 11 R5 Virugambakkam O 1 8 0 0 9
Adyar
Mylapore 12 E1 Mylapore 1 4 21 10 2 38 13 E4 Abiramapuram 0 1 17 0 2 20
Royapettai 14 E2 Royapettai 1 4 34 1 1 41 15 D5 Marina 0 1 13 6 5 25
Adyar
16 J2 Adyar 1 4 30 5 5 45 17 J4 Kotturpuram 0 3 14 3 2 22 18 J5 Sastri Nagar 0 2 12 3 3 20 19 J6 Thiruvanmiyur 0 1 5 4 1 11
Neelangarai 20 J8 Neelagarai 1 3 16 6 5 31 21 J.9. Thoraipakkam 0 2 4 5 3 14
St.T.Mount
St.T.Mount 22 S1 St.Thomas Mount 1 4 18 11 10 44 23 S3 Meenambakkam 0 0 9 1 3 13 24 S7 Madipakkam 0 0 0 8 4 12
Airport 25 S2 Air port 1 3 2 2 2 10
Tambaram 26 S11 Tambaram 1 3 32 19 4 59 27 S13 Chrompet 0 2 14 5 13 34 28 S15 Seliyur 0 1 2 0 13 16
Total 11 68 475 121 112 787
Source: Record of Chennai Traffic Police Department
141
3.5.3 CHENNAI TRAFFIC POLICE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONAL
FLOW ORGANISATION CHART
The Additional Commissioner of Police is head of the administer traffic
department in Chennai city. Three Deputy Commissioners are working under
the Additional Commissioner of police. They are taking care of each district
such as North, South and Central. Assistant Commissioners are working under
the control of Deputy Commissioners. Each Assistant Commissioner is taking
care of one sub-division in the district. Each district has three sub-divisions.
Reserve Inspectors are working under the control of Assistant Commissioner.
Each Reserve Inspector is taking care of one range. Reserve Sub-Inspectors are
working under the control of Reserve inspectors. The Head constables, Grade-I
and Grade-II police are working under the control of Reserve sub-inspectors.
142
FIGURE 3.2
ORGANISATIONAL FUNCTIONAL FLOW CHART OF
CHENNAI TRAFFIC POLICE DEPARTMENT
Source: Record of Chennai traffic police department
Reserve Inspector
Additional Commissioner of Police Chennai Traffic
Deputy Commissioner South District
Deputy Commissioner Central District
Deputy Commissioner North District
Additional Deputy Commissioner
Asst Commissioners for South District
Asst Commissioners for Central District
Reserve Sub-Inspector
Head Constable
Grade-II-Police
Grade-I-Police
Reserve Inspector
Asst Commissioners for North District
Reserve Inspector
Reserve Sub-Inspector Reserve Sub-Inspector
Head Constable Head Constable
Grade-I-Police Grade-I-Police
Grade-II-PoliceGrade-II-Police
143
3.6 CONCLUSION
Human beings derive immense pleasure and inner satisfaction in doing
service to the society. The duties and responsibilities of the police are to do all
service to the society. Police officers are maintaining law and order, controlling
crime activities and protecting public while discharging their duties. If the
police maintain their vigil and act justly, the citizens can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Chennai traffic police are doing very good service to the society.
They are regulating traffic very well. In order to prevent accident and save
human lives, the traffic police insist on two wheeler riders wearing helmet. The
seat belt is for compulsory four wheelers. They are verifying driving license and
vehicle insurance to reduce vehicle theft and risk and also are taking classes
about traffic rules, regulations, and road safety to the school and college
students and general public to create proper awareness of the rules of traffic.
“Working together does not only bring out the best in all of us; It brings
out the best in each of us”.
144
REFERENCES
1. Ivan Illich, “Energy and Equity”, Rupa and Co, Delhi, 1980, p. 27.
2. P. S. Bawa, “Traffic Management”, Rupa and Co, 1983, p. 17.
3. P. S. Pasricha, “Traffic Management A Long Way To Go”, Nasha Publication, Bombay, 1991, p. 3.
4. www.delhitrafficpolice.nic.in
5. Ibid
6. Ibid
7. Ibid
8. Ibid
9. Ibid
10. Ibid
11. Ibid
12. Op.cit, P. S. Pasricha, p. 40
13. Op.cit, www.delhitrafficpolice.nic.in
14. Ibid
15. Ibid
16. Op.cit, P. S. Pasricha, p. 30.
17. Op.cit, P. S. Pasricha, p. 96.
18. www.tnpolice.gov.in
19. Op.cit, www.delhitrafficpolice.nic.in
20. Krishna Arora, “Motor Vehicles Manual”, Professional Book Publishers, New Delhi, 2001, p. 1.
145
21. Op.cit, www.delhitrafficpolice.nic.in
22. Op.cit, www.tnpolice.gov.in
23. Ibid
24. Ibid
25. Ibid
26. Ibid
27. Ibid
28. Ibid
29. Ibid
30. Ibid
31. Ibid
32. Ibid
33. Ibid
34. Ibid
35. Ibid
36. Ibid
37. Ibid
38. Ibid
39. Ibid
40. Ibid
41. Ibid
42. Ibid
43. Ibid
146
44. Ibid
45. Ibid
46. Ibid
47. Ibid
48. Ibid
49. www.chennaitrafficpolice.in
50. Ibid
51. Ibid
52. Record of Chennai traffic police department.
53. Op.cit, www.chennaitrafficpolice.in
54. Ibid
55. Ibid
56. Op.cit, Record of Chennai traffic police department.
57. Ibid
58. Ibid
59. Ibid
60. Ibid
