Interview with Prakash Mansukh

Exclusive Interview 

“The nightmarish traffic jams that clog the city can be solved if the people exhibit little awareness about traffic norms and obey them honestly!”
– Prakash Mansukh, Senior Traffic Cop of Mulund Division

Ever since Prakash Mansukh, the dashing and dynamic Police Officer took up the reins as Senior Traffic Cop of Mulund Division on December 8, 2017, he has been on his toes like a no-nonsense cop fulfilling his duty with utter sincerity and passion. In a brief span of just three months, Prakash Mansukh has displayed his prowess in controlling traffic by stringently penalising errant drivers violating traffic norms. It may be noted that before taking charge as Senior Traffic Cop of Mulund, Prakash Mansukh was an inspector in the Mulund Police Crime Department.

The residents of Mulund and Bhandup are quite annoyed by the traffic problem and are also fuming over parking woes that have literally made their lives hell. Hence,to seek a solution to the ever-increasing traffic menace in Mulund and Bhandup, Home Times took an ‘ExclusiveInterview’ of Prakash Mansukh, Senior Traffic Police of Mulund Division, who has urged Mulundkars to follow traffic norms honestly to bring an end to traffic jams in Mulund.

Home Times: What is your policy to seek a solution to the day by day increasing traffic problems in Mulund?
Prakash Mansukh: I think, in comparison to other suburbs of Mumbai, the traffic problem in Mulund is quite less. In Mulund we have ‘No Entry Points’ at many roads. Secondly,at many roads,we have ‘No Parking’ for 24 hours. Similarly,we have also introduced the policy of ‘Odd and Even’ number vehicles on certain roads. In addition, we have appointed traffic cops at all these points to keep a hawk’s-eye on errant motorists who violate these norms. Thus,if the citizens abide by the traffic norms with sincerity,then I am sure traffic congestion will gradually come down.

Home Times: BMC T-Ward has made ‘Pay-And-Parking’ facility at many places in Mulund, but why are they still not been opened for the public?
Prakash Mansukh: BMC T-Ward has made ‘Pay-And-Parking’ facility at four places in Mulund. Our Traffic Department is in discussion with BMC and soon these ‘Pay-And-Park’ zones will start functioning.
The four ‘Pay-And-Park’ zones are 1) Runwal Heights 2) Runwal Greens 3) Zircon Apartments, and 4) Neptune (Bhandup)
The best part of these ‘Pay-And-Park’zones is that in the radius of 200 metres,there will be ‘No Parking’ for 24 hours. Hence,people living in the surroundings of Pay-And-Park’zones cannot park their vehicles on empty roads. They are permitted only to park their vehicles within the boundary of their housing society and not outside! This will surely reduce illegal parking to a great extent.

Home Times: It is often noticed that BMC and Traffic police take action on vehicles parked illegally in ‘No Parking’ zones. Despite frequent action why is there is not much relief from traffic congestion in Mulund?
Prakash Mansukh: Actually,the main reason for traffic jam in Mulund is the increase in number of vehicles in Mulund.  Every house in Mulund has 2 or more vehicles. Hence,the number of vehicles has exceeded the population of Mulund. In addition,there are a number of

housing societies that still do not have proper parking facilities.Therefore,residents are forced to park their vehicles on the roads. This is a major cause of traffic woes.

Home Times: How much work-force do you have to control the traffic jam problem in Mulund –Bhandup?
Prakash Mansukh: Right now,we have 5 PSIs and 84 policemen to take care of the traffic jam problem in Mulund-Bhandup. Maximum work-force is employed at Mulund Station, Market, Bhandup Station, Market, Village Road,etc. as maximum traffic flow is in these areas which causes traffic jams.

Home Times: What are the problems faced by you or other policemen of your Division?
Prakash Mansukh: Yes,there are many problems faced by us. Generally,when we tow away any vehicle parked illegally, the offenders protest! Pointing fingers at other vehicles,they argue to challan them as well. Many times, this leads to heated verbal exchanges. However,I think, if people are calm then they would realize that we do our duty lawfully and have no vengeance against anybody. Hence,I think people should cooperate with us in our work rather than create an ugly scene.
Home Times: These days the number of violent incidents against traffic police officials is on the rise. What are the security measures provided by government to RTO officials?
Prakash Mansukh: Usually,there are two traffic policemen at every point,but in case if some motorist turns violent and acts rowdily,then we have to take assistance of the local police and take legal action against the culprit.
Home Times: What are the concrete steps that the traffic police are taking in Mulund to solve the increasing traffic problem?
Prakash Mansukh: The biggest issue of traffic problem in Mulund is illegal parking. People park their vehicles randomly at any place without thinking of the traffic chaos. Hence,very soon traffic police will be putting up ‘24 Hours No Parking’ signboards at LBS Marg and Mulund-Goregaon Link road. In yet another step to curb traffic jams,RTO will be putting up ‘No Entry’ signboards at RRT Road which goes towards JN Road. Similarly,at NS Road and MG Road parking facility will be made as per Odd and Even days.
Home Times: In Mulund,many times pedestrians are seen violating traffic norms. Have you ever taken action against them?
Prakash Mansukh: Many times,pedestrians are seen daringly crossing the road by stopping speeding vehicles by waving their hand. This is wrong as the signal offers them a time limit to cross. However,when we nab such pedestrians violating traffic norms they too argue and show fingers at others and ask us to nab them too. 
Home Times: In Mulund,the number of auto rickshaws are also increasing day by day. Eyebrows are being raised over their parking issues,too. What is your view in this connection?
Prakash Mansukh: I agree that the number of auto rickshaws are rapidly increasing. We are taking action against those errant auto rickshaw drivers who park their autos in the middle of the roads and cause traffic jams. Moreover,for the benefit of Mulundkars,most of the auto drivers line up outside housing societies as this generates good business,but this poses traffic issues,hence we are making efforts to solve this issue at the earliest.
Home Times: Through the medium of Home Times what would you like to appeal to Mulundkars?
Prakash Mansukh: I am aware that Mumbai and its suburbs are crippled by the traffic jam problem. However,the nightmarish traffic jams that clog the city can be solved if the people exhibit a little awareness about traffic norms and obey them honestly.

My appeal to Mulundkars is that,kindly do not park your vehicles in the middle of the roads or at corners or at No Parking zones. Avoid double parking. Obey the traffic rules. In case if traffic police take action against you,then please do not argue with them as the action is being taken via e-Challan in tune with foreign laws.