COVID-19 in Mumbai: Colour code system for cars scrapped

Police checks colour code stickers during a nakabandi in Sion. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Amid huge confusion and distress within its force, Mumbai Police discontinued the colour code system, which was meant to distinguish vehicles of essential workers. On April 17, Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale had launched the colour code sticker system to reduce the traffic jams in the city during travel restrictions. But, the system, rather than reducing the traffic, increased it by manifold at check points.

"It was getting terrible day after day, as we had to check every vehicle, which did not have a sticker," said an officer, on condition of anonymity. Lot of officers had also expressed displeasure over the checking, as it was the reason behind cops getting infected with COVID-19 virus. The commissioner decided to put off the system from April 23.