PONDA
With security taking centrestage at the ongoing DefExpo in Betul, the traffic police was conspicuous by its absence in the busy areas of Ponda taluka.
Traffic police were not available outside many schools located along the main roads and many school children were left to cross the busy roads by themselves.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a policeman at the Police Traffic Cell in Farmagudi said: “Sixty-four traffic police constables have been deployed at the Defence Expo and 39 home guards are also working there in shifts.”
“We have been asked to work in two shifts, from 6 am to 12 pm and from 12 pm to 6 pm,” the policeman said.
“Only 10 traffic policemen are there to manage the traffic in Ponda. Each day, we deploy our staff at Almeida high school to help students cross the road. We have been trying to send our staff there,” he said.
A visit to Almeida high school revealed that there was no police staff deployed there to regulate traffic to ensure safety and security of students crossing the roads.
The concerned parents were seen trying to cross the busy road with their children, while motorists had an equally difficult time in passing along the route during the beginning and end of school hours.
Sources informed The Goan that authorities had wanted most of the Farmagudi traffic staff for duty at the Defence Expo site. But after negotiations, only 64 staff were eventually sent to Betul.
Ponda Traffic Police Inspector Ram Asre was not available for comments, as he too was at Defence Expo venue.
