SURAT: As part of an awareness campaign during the festive season, city traffic police won’t fine uninsured vehicles, but help such vehicle owners buy insurance on the spot.

Cops, along with insurance company staffers, will get the vehicle insured, for which, the department has roped in government insurance companies to put up stalls at 30 Garba venues where revellers will be offered vehicle insurances. At multiple locations in the city, the police will check vehicles for insurance and other papers after a large number of vehicles have been found to be uninsured. Due to this, in case of accidents the victims are deprived of compensation. For uninsured vehicles, new traffic fine is Rs 2,000.

“Our purpose is not to penalize vehicle owners but to ensure that they follow the rules. Hence, police department is trying to assist owners get their vehicles insured on the spot,” said Sudhir Desai, deputy commissioner of police, traffic. The arrangement was done by city police with the support of government insurance companies, which will keep their own teams with traffic police at different locations and issue insurance of vehicles on the spot after completing procedures.

Garba revellers are also being provided the opportunity to buy insurance of their vehicles at the venues itself. “At many Garba venues stalls have been provided to insurance companies. Revellers will not have to search for an insurer during festival time,” said Harekrushna Patel, in-charge city police commissioner.

For traffic rules awareness police are taking help of NGOs which will perform skits at the Garba venue during breaks under the guidance of traffic experts.

Source: The Times of India