Seeking solution for the traffic problems through RTI

Background

The Appellant sought information regarding the number of Traffic Policemen available at the Traffic Post in the Punjabi Bagh PS; their responsibility and accountability to check parking and flow of traffic; number of vehicles challaned; total amount realized; Parking arrangements for patients coming for treatment at the two Hospitals located on the bye-lane; reasons for discontinuing paid parking etc.

The PIO gave a part reply and transferred some of the queries to PIO (Traffic) Western Range under section 6(3) of the RTI Act. The PIO (Traffic) Western Range replied to each of the points. Regarding the discontinuation of paid parking, there was a difference in the replies given by two PIO. The PIO (Traffic) WR informed that the parking contract had been cancelled by the MCD whereas the PIO (Traffic) HQ mentioned about registration of a case. The FAA observed that this part of the application should also have been transferred to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for reasons of discontinuing the paid parking and directed the PIO (Traffic), WR to transfer this point of the RTI application to PIO, MCD. The PIO, MCD complied with the directions of the FAA after a long delay.

View of CIC

The appellant submitted that there was an acute problem for patients and others due to lack of any parking facilities either within the premises of Hospital or outside, after the discontinuation of the parking contract and also due to inadequate traffic control measures by the Police. During the peak hospital hours, hundreds of vehicles are improperly parked every day on both side of the bye-lane. The Central Information Commission observed that a citizen has brought to the notice of the authorities a genuine problem and the issues should be addressed by the authorities in charge of Traffic and by the MCD. For the delay, the PIO was warned by the Commission to be careful in future while dealing with the RTI matters.

Citation: Shri R.C. Sethi v. Delhi Police, Traffic in file no. CIC/SS/A/2011/001667