A special traffic and security plan has been put in to effect in Nuwara Eliya town in preparation for the April holiday season the Police said. According to Nuwara Eliya Division SP Mahinda Dissanayaka, around 800 Police officers will be deployed on traffic enforcement duty during the month while several main roads such as upper lake road will only be open for one way traffic in a bid to reduce traffic congestion experienced by motorists.
¨We are expecting around 50,000 vehicles into the city this month,¨ SP Dissanayaka said.
According to Dissanayaka strict action will be taken against motorists parking in no-parking zones, while vehicles hampering traffic flow, are also expected to be severely penalized. Dissanayaka says traffic blocks are expected to be less this year due to the 11 new parking lots constructed in the town.
Police will also increase drunken driving checks during the time due to a visible increase in drunken driving seen in previous years in the month of April, while action will also be taken against those found drinking in public places.
Meanwhile, the Police have set up roadblocks along the four main roads leading up to the town and officers at roadblocks are to dispense information leaflets to motorists which will include information on parking spaces, road plans, security as well as the protection of environment.
With crime rate increasing during the holiday season, the Police have also deployed a team of 15 officers to act on information received from intelligence teams in a bid to curb crime. Another six police posts have also been set up with six vehicles to operate as rapid response units to assist travellers in emergency situations. Police have also deployed special watch teams to nab unruly people involved in various incidents of sexual harassment reported in the past. According to SP Dissanayaka mobile patrolling will also take place in the night to ensure the safety of locals and visitors to the area.