New Delhi: The Delhi Traffic Police has found a novel way to introduce pedestrians to use footbridges. They are being lured with money to use overpasses for their own safety and the lucky among them could win Rs5,000 in a draw (Dh350).
"Trying to scurry across roads, people meet with accidents. And despite advisories and fines, not many believe in taking road safety measures. That's why we came up with the idea of providing incentive to pedestrians," said traffic inspector (road safety) Seema Sharma. From January 1, about 12,000 coupons were distributed to pedestrians using foot bridges at ITO, IP Marg, Anand Vihar and Inter State Bus Terminus. A lucky draw was then announced in front of a gathering at Dr Zakir Hussain Marg near India Gate, after a traffic signal was installed there to ensure easy movement of pedestrians at the important junction.
Since the winner of coupon No 6401 was not among them, the police held on to the Rs5,000 cheque. They urged the person with the winning coupon to collect the cheque from their office. The lucky draw number can also be confirmed any time from the website of the traffic police. Providing further information, the inspector said, "The department will hold similar lucky draws every month to mobilise support from the public. The scheme is already gaining momentum, as a large number of people travelling regularly on certain routes are now using the over-bridges to collect as many coupons."
Ramesh, a pedestrian, said: "I had the habit of making my way through traffic on the road, as I commute daily from Shahdara to ITO by Metro. But it was a chance outing with the family that opened my eyes."
