Ulhasnagar traffic dept to continue ban on pvt towing vehicles

Gautam Dadlani, the student who was injured in the accident; (right) Rakesh Tiwari, who was also injured in an accident. Pic/Navneet Bharate

The Ulhasnagar traffic department is continuing with the ban on private towing vehicles after local trade associations alleged mismanagement by private parties towing vehicles. In a chaotic meeting which took place between the local MLA, trade associations and the traffic department on January 6, it was decided that the ban on private towing vehicles would continue. The ban was imposed in July after Vijay Bhoir was dragged by employees of a private towing company as he had attempted to stop his vehicle from getting towed. Two accidents have occurred in the past seven months due to the private towing vans.

"After that incident, we raised concerns regarding the towing of vehicles and the traffic department agreed to ban the practice of deploying private contractors. However, they restarted the system without our consent. We again raised concerns at our meeting with the traffic department and so the ban is set to continue. Local MLA Kumar Aliani was present at the meeting and MLA Shrikant Sindhe had to intervene over a phone call," said Deepak Chhatlani, president of Ulhasnagar Shopkeeper's Association.

Local trade unions allege that the individuals deployed in private towing vehicles misbehave with people, causing inconvenience in the area. "There is utter lawlessness regarding the towing vans… from the officers to vehicle collectors, everyone just wants a commission and they work accordingly. They even argue with people who ask them to not tow their vehicles. They are also indecent, especially towards women but the traffic department is adamant to continue with the system. "Finally, we raised our voices and the MLA had to intervene," said Amit Wadhwa, BJP secretary, Maharashtra Vyapari Cell.

"We are constantly troubled by these towing vans. In July, after the accident, Ulhasnagar traffic police shut down the towing system. However, they restarted it. We raised objections those deployed with towing vehicles often engage in verbal altercations," said Vijay Katwani, a member of a trade association.

ACP, Vijay Powar, posted with the Ulhasnagar traffic division, said, "The Ulhasnagar traffic department has continued the ban due to the trade associations' opposition and the Vithalwadi traffic department vans continue to tow vehicles. No vehicle has been towed in the Ulhasnagar after the ban was imposed," ACP Powar said.

Meanwhile, despite serious concerns raised by the trade associations, the Vithalwadi traffic department's private towing vans are still functional.

The demand for the ban was raised after an October 17 accident in Netaji Chowk wherein a private towing van dragged two individuals for allegedly violating the
traffic norms.

"My son Gautam Dadlani, 28, was dragged by the towing van. The people in the towing van had also abused him verbally. Locals gathered and witnessed the entire incident. Some of them took videos while he was taken to Balaji hospital. His knees were badly hurt. A case was then registered against my son, despite him being severely injured during the incident. We want justice," said Anil Dadlani, the father of Gautam.

Rakesh Tiwari, 38, who had been severely injured in an incident involving towing operators, told mid-day, "I clearly remember that incident as it changed my life. I am a rickshaw driver and was crossing the road when the towing van hit my leg, causing it to bleed profusely. People took me to the hospital and I was shifted to KEM (hospital) for further treatment. Even after two months, my leg continues to hurt and I am unable to walk. I sit at home and I'm quite helpless. I have a family to look after. The lady constable who was present in the van still comes on duty and no action has been initiated against her."

According to the assistant commissioner of police in charge, the driver of the towing van involved in the incident had been arrested and a chargesheet will be filed against him soon. However, no action has been initiated against the lady constable so far.

Oct 17
Day private tow truck dragged two people for ‘violating' traffic norms