Kolkata Police cancels 800 licences for talking on mobiles

Kolkata: Kolkata Police has so far cancelled licences of 800 drivers in the past three weeks, after they were caught speaking over mobile phone while driving.

It may be recalled that soon after the bus accident in Murshidabad, the state Transport department had issued an order, stating "…Further considering the potential danger to public and resultant fatality arising particularly out of accidents of heavy motor vehicles, both passengers and goods that is buses and trucks, the offence of using mobile phone while driving may be punished with disqualification of the driver from holding driving licence or revocation of his driving licence..." The police had kept a close watch at drivers and they were caught when found speaking over cell phone while driving. There are many motorcyclists as well, who ride bikes by tucking their mobile phones in between the ear and helmet and speaking on it while riding.

Suvendu Adhikari, the state Transport minister, said: "Kolkata Police has cancelled more than 800 licences and West Bengal Police is also taking equally stringent measures in this connection."

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had introduced the state-wide Safe Drive Save Life campaign to check road accidents and the state Transport department had extended all support to the police in creating necessary infrastructure to avoid accidents. The steps have ensured a considerable drop in the number of accidents.

At the same time, the state Transport minister on Wednesday announced that the auto-rickshaw policy is going to be introduced soon.

"It is almost ready and the police have also given their observation in this connection," said Adhikari, adding that the auto-rickshaws plying for more than three years, will be regularised. The routes on which auto-rickshaws will be plying, will also be regularised.