Despite year-round campaigns against reckless driving and riding motorcycles without helmets, many city dwellers have failed to learn the lesson of discipline. The combination of these two factors has led to an increase in fatalities from accidents in the Kolkata Police area.
Statistics reveal that while 159 people died in road accidents in 2023, the number has risen to 191 in 2024. The police claim that lack of awareness is one of the primary reasons for this increase.
On Monday, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma attended an event at the PTS Auditorium focusing on the Traffic Guidebook, Puja Guide, and cyber awareness.
There, the CP launched the 'Puja Bondhu App' for visitors. This application will provide directions on how to reach puja pandals, locate the nearest hospitals and toilets, and offer access to emergency numbers.
The traffic-related figures presented by the police at the event showed that even after the Bhangor area came under Kolkata Police jurisdiction, the number of accidents there has increased. Among the city's 26 traffic guards, Bhangor alone witnessed 136 road accidents resulting in multiple injuries. Moreover, 16 people lost their lives in accidents in this area.
Within Kolkata, the Tiljala traffic guard area recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 19 deaths. Police statistics indicate that in 2024, 21,991 people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, compared to 19,589 in 2023. Cases were filed against 507,527 individuals for not wearing helmets in 2024, up from 476,514 in 2023.
Kolkata Police reported that multiple vehicles have been prosecuted for reckless driving in 2024. Even ambulances were not spared, with cases filed against 35 of them.
Meanwhile, this year, the CP officially launched Cyber Safe Puja Kiosks, Cyber Safe Puja Webpage, Cyber Volunteer T-shirts, and Cyber Awareness leaflets to promote cyber awareness during the festivities.
He stated, "Along with security measures, we are taking all possible steps to raise cyber awareness during Puja." Each puja pandal will have a cyber awareness kiosk manned by volunteers wearing T-shirts. The back of these shirts will feature a QR code, which, when scanned, will provide information on cyber safety measures.
