Tiruchy Traffic Wardens Still Suspended Amid Chaos
Tiruchy’s growing traffic congestion has brought renewed focus on the inactivity of the city’s Traffic Warden Organisation, which has remained suspended since 2023. Once a vital community service promoting road safety and easing traffic during peak times and events, the organisation’s absence has raised concern among volunteers and residents alike. Calls for its revival have intensified as road conditions worsen.
Despite its strong legacy, the Tiruchy Traffic Warden Organisation remains non-functional while traffic surges across the city. Established in 1995 as part of a wider Tamil Nadu initiative, the group was composed of around 100 trained civilian volunteers. These wardens supported police efforts during weekends, festivals, and school programs, but their office near the Cantonment police station has remained shut, reflecting a sharp pause in civic participation.
Volunteers include individuals from diverse backgrounds such as public sector employees, teachers, and students. Known for their khaki uniforms and visible presence at key intersections, the wardens had long earned public trust. Their road safety campaigns in schools reached thousands of children annually. However, the absence of a formal reinstatement plan has caused disillusionment among those who once viewed the organisation as a model for citizen-led traffic management.
The group operated without financial support from the government, funding awareness drives and safety sessions from their own resources. They also issued certificates to students who completed their road safety training. While reports cite internal disagreements as the reason behind the suspension, many wardens dispute this, pointing to other undisclosed causes. Repeated attempts to meet authorities have so far failed, leaving volunteers with little recourse.
As Tiruchy’s roads become increasingly burdened, the absence of its once-active traffic wardens is felt more strongly than ever. With vehicle numbers rising and public frustration mounting, calls are growing louder to bring back the volunteer group. Residents and former wardens believe their reinstatement could be a low-cost, high-impact solution to managing traffic and promoting road safety in the city.
The continued suspension of Tiruchy’s Traffic Warden Organisation stands in sharp contrast to the city’s growing traffic challenges. Volunteers remain committed to public service and urge authorities to recognise the group’s impact on community safety. With increasing congestion, reviving this initiative could offer a valuable supplement to official efforts, restoring a legacy of citizen-led support for road management and awareness across Tiruchy’s expanding road network.
