By IANS
New Delhi : Accepting his office as a "challenge", newly appointed Delhi Police chief Y.S. Dadwal Thursday deplored the dangerous driving by privately operated Blueline buses and assured that traffic management in the capital would be his top priority.
"Traffic management and regulation have emerged as the biggest challenge to the city police and we are committed to overcome this by use of technology. I am accepting this as my first preference," Dadwal said.
"We will work on the loopholes that led to Blueline accidents in the city. Soon I will be holding a high-level meeting with concerned officials to discuss the issue. More stringent action will be taken against the offending bus drivers," he assured.
This year Blueline buses have already claimed 64 lives in the city.
"In the coming months we will install cameras at all traffic signals and if anyone found jumping the signal, the motorist would be prosecuted. Some other necessary gadgets will also be put in place," Dadwal said while addressing reporters for the first time after taking over as Delhi Police commissioner.
He admitted that traffic policemen "disappear" in the night and roads become dangerous for ordinary people.
"I will give special attention to the issue and patrolling will be increased shortly," the new commissioner assured.
He said his other priorities would be professional excellence and strengthening of official delivery capabilities.
"I am focused on improving the working conditions of officials at the ground level to increase their output. Issue of their housing facilities will be immediately taken up as it demands urgent attention," he promised the 64,000-strong Delhi Police staff.
"I am aware that officials living in barracks don't enjoy adequate facilities. We want to provide a homely environment."
Defending his appointment, Dadwal said he had high respect for senior colleague Kiran Bedi, whom he edged out in the race for the coveted post.
"She (Kiran Bedi) is a senior colleague and I have high regard and respect for her. I can't comment on what others say. I am accepting the post as a new challenge and will do my best as Delhi Police commissioner," he said.
"The government took the decision on my appointment," Dadwal said, indicating that questions about his appointment should be addressed to the union home ministry.
A 1974-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, he was Wednesday selected as the new Police Commissioner of the capital.
Bedi Wednesday blamed the prime minister for picking "someone junior" to her as the city's police commissioner.
"It's complete injustice to me and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has let me down. I am completely disappointed with the government and the bureaucracy," an angry Bedi had told IANS.