Cop who brought about highway discipline & reduced deaths transferred

Bengaluru: Senior IPS officer and ADGP Alok Kumar, known for implementing stringent legal measures to maintain discipline among motorists on the six-lane access-controlled Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, has been relieved of his duties as commissioner of traffic and road safety. Kumar had been holding the position since Jan, in addition to his primary role as ADGP (training), a position he will continue to hold.
Kumar first assumed the role of commissioner of traffic and road safety in June 2023.He was transferred to the post of ADGP (training) in Sept 2023 but was reassigned as the in-charge commissioner of traffic and road safety in Jan 2024.
Around that time, the spotlight was on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway because of its rising number of accidents and fatalities. State police records indicate that 147 deaths occurred on the highway in the first eight months of 2023.
In response to this, Kumar introduced approximately 40 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at 12 locations along the highway to detect speeding vehicles. These cameras became operational in May 2024. In June, traffic police began using these cameras to issue fines for lane violations, driving without seatbelt, and using mobile phone while driving. In July, cases for vehicles exceeding the speed limit of 100 kmph were also recorded. His intervention saw the number of fatalities reducing to 50 till Aug-end in 2024.
Beginning Aug 1, a sectional speed detection system was implemented using AI technology installed in 10 ANPR cameras (five in each direction). This system calculates a vehicle's speed based on the time taken to travel between two cameras. Approximately 90,000 vehicles were found to be speeding between these cameras and were fined. Additionally, from Aug 1, police started filing FIRs against vehicles travelling above 130 kmph, resulting in 400 FIRs by the end of the month.
Kumar had previously noted that spreading awareness about these strict rules through social media played a crucial role in reducing fatalities on the highway. "There is still much that can be done to further reduce accidents on this stretch," he said.
Kumar will be succeeded by senior IPS officer KV Sharath Chandra. In a related move, the govt has transferred Hemant Nimbalkar to the position of ADGP (intelligence), previously held by Chandra.