Traffic Warden Beaten for Demanding ‘Entry Fee’ on Maha Expressway
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a vital artery connecting two of India’s most populous cities, has witnessed yet another shocking incident of corruption. A traffic warden attached to the Urse Toll Plaza was brutally beaten by passengers after allegedly demanding an ‘entry fee’ of ₹500 from a luxury bus driver. The incident, which was captured on camera, has sparked outrage among citizens and raised serious questions about the integrity of the traffic warden system.
According to reports, the traffic warden, who has not been named, stopped a luxury bus carrying passengers on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near the Urse Toll Plaza. Instead of checking the bus’s documents or enforcing traffic rules, the warden allegedly demanded ₹500 from the driver, claiming he had received orders from his senior to collect the ‘entry fee’. The driver, understandably, refused to pay, leading to a heated argument between the two.
As the situation escalated, passengers intervened and began recording the incident on their smartphones. The footage shows the warden refusing to back down, despite being outnumbered and outmatched. It was only when the passengers physically restrained him that he was forced to hand over the cash from his pocket.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the warden attempting to flee the scene, but passengers managed to catch up with him and rough him up. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the warden’s motives and the need for such a ‘entry fee’.
“This is a clear case of extortion and corruption,” said a passenger who witnessed the incident. “The warden had no right to demand money from the driver, and we will not tolerate such behaviour on our roads.”
The police, who were called to the scene, have confirmed that the warden’s actions were unacceptable and have launched an investigation into the matter. In a statement, the police said that traffic wardens are not authorized to issue e-challans or collect any kind of entry fee from vehicles.
“We take a serious view of this incident and have promised strict action against the warden if he is found guilty,” said a police spokesperson. “We will also review our system to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”
The incident highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the traffic warden system. While traffic wardens play a crucial role in maintaining order on our roads, they must also be held to a higher standard of conduct.
As the investigation into the incident continues, citizens are left wondering how such a blatant case of corruption could occur under the watchful eyes of the authorities. The answer, it seems, lies in a systemic lack of accountability and a culture of impunity that pervades many government agencies.
The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of the traffic warden system. With the increasing number of vehicles on our roads, the need for effective traffic management has never been more pressing. However, the lack of accountability and transparency among traffic wardens undermines the very purpose of their existence.
In conclusion, the beating of the traffic warden on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a stark reminder of the need for greater accountability and transparency in the traffic warden system. As citizens, we demand that our authorities take swift and decisive action against those who abuse their power and compromise the integrity of our roads.
