Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Mar 19: As the novel coronavirus is posing new challenges, traffic wardens fro Tarffic Wardens' Squad (TWS) of the city have stopped providing their services until further announcement.

After consulting with the police commissioner and deputy commissioner of police (DCP - crime and traffic) Joe Gonsalves, who heads the traffic wardens, suggested to them to stop their voluntary service as a precautionary measure.

Speaking to daijiworld, Joe Gonsalves, who happens to be the senior-most traffic warden rendering his voluntary service and leading his team of traffic wardens, said, “Everyone needs to follow government guidelines to control the spread of coronavirus. We, the traffic wardens of Mangaluru city, also had planned to undergo preventive exercise. Temporarily, we will not be rendering our services on the city roads. We have taken this decision after holding discussions with the commissioner of police and the DCP (crime and traffic). At the same time, we request the citizens to follow traffic rules and drive safely on the city roads.

Traffic wardens at a rally

Joe Gonsalves

"The traffic wardens spend their valuable time to maintain smooth traffic in the city. They also help traffic police to levy fine on traffic offenders. It is my kind request to associations and organisations who are engaged in various social activities in the city to join the traffic warden squad. If they show a special interest in maintaining traffic in the city we can get more members enrolled as traffic wardens,” he added

"I am a daily commuter. In the peak hours of the evening, we can see a traffic wardens at many busy places. Many a time I get stunned on observing their dedicated service even under the hot sun. There are many traffic wardens rendering their services free of cost for maintaining orderly traffic. They are eligible for all appreciation and respect. But since the last two days, they are not seen on the roads. After making queries, I came to know that they have temporarily suspended their services. They have taken the right decision. At the same time my request to all motorists is to follow road safety guidelines as well as to take extra care in traffic-congested areas.” said Dhananjay Sherigar, a resident of Uday Nagar, KPT.