Mangaluru : Joe G. Gonsalves a 94-year-old take part in an hour-long rally of traffic wardens to launch the new Mangaluru City Traffic Warden force on Friday. Mangaluru Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul flagged off the rally.

The squad held a march from Hampankatta junction to Police Commissioner’s office.

“The traffic is gone bad and there is a need to manage it,’ says Mr. Gonsavles, the Chief Traffic Warden of the 30-member strong force. “I am not a fault-finder. I am on a fact-finding mission and involving myself in traffic management,” he says with gleaming eyes to The Hindu while accepting wishes from his family members and friends for taking up a new task.

But why does he want to take up this hard task of managing traffic at this age? Pat comes the reply: “Age is not a bar. If youngsters do not come forward, what should I do? I have taken up the mantle and inspire youngsters to involve with traffic management.”

A passionate long-distance driver, Mr. Gonsalves says the experience of driving for nearly four decades in India and 35 years in the United States comes handy in helping the city police in regulating traffic movement. His son, Franco Gonsalves, mentions that his father drove non-stop for eight hours on a national highway in the U.S. a few weeks ago.

Senior Gonsalves says he has come with a mission to highlight the positive aspects of driving. He and 29 other traffic wardens will be involved in educating erring drivers.

The children of Mr. Gonsalves say they are not come in the way of their father pursuing his passion. “He has a sharp mind and a healthy body. Let him take it up,” says daughter Lorna Gonsalves and then moves to hold her father’s hand to bring him down the stage and move towards their vehicle.

Mr. Gonsalves has been living in Falnir. He worked for seven months with the city police to get the concurrence of State Government for the Mangaluru Traffic Warden Force.

Police commissioner S Murugan said that practice similar to Traffic Warden Squad had been a success in Bengaluru and Mysuru, and following the same, the government has given permission to Mangaluru to start this service.