SURAT: Vigilant citizens of Surat are playing a proactive role in ensuring traffic compliance in the city. On Tuesday, in Morabhagal area, a concerned resident used the Surat City Traffic Police's WhatsApp helpline to report a grave traffic violation: a bike loaded with six individuals.
Upon receiving the photograph of the overloaded motorcycle, bearing the number GJ 05 KE 7305, the police swung into action. The image showed the bike heading towards the Mora Bhagal Sekotar Mata temple. The law enforcement's prompt response led to the arrest of the accused within three hours of the tip-off.
This crackdown comes in the wake of stricter traffic regulations being enforced by the Surat traffic police, especially after recent incidents in Ahmedabad. To encourage public participation, they introduced a helpline where citizens can report traffic violations. The strategy has proven effective, as local residents actively collaborate by sending evidence of violations, thereby extending the reach of the traffic police.
In this particular case, the police traced the bike back to its owner, Govindbhai Jokhubhai Prajapati, through its license plate. After verifying the ownership, it was revealed that Prajapati had handed the bike over to a friend in Olpad seven years prior. This friend, identified as Brijesh Munim Nishad, a paint worker, was found to be the accused violator.
Nishad has been charged under the Motor Vehicles Act and is now under the jurisdiction of the Jahangirpura police station for further proceedings. This incident underscores the significance of community involvement in maintaining law and order, and sets a precedent for other cities to follow.
