When he was ordered to lead the probe into the terror attacks, the IPS officer assembled a team in which 75 per cent of the men were from the traffic department.
In 1992, Maria was moved to Mumbai as DCP (Traffic) from Raigad, where he was Superintendent of Police.
“During the probe we come across a scooter that gave me the first clue in the case. Using the proficiency I gained in the traffic wing, I reached absconding accused Tiger Memon's house with the help of the abandoned scooter.
“So the credit for cracking the 1993 blasts goes to traffic department too,” said Maria, who played a key role in arresting most of the accused and unearthing Pakistan's role in orchestrating the explosions.
The senior IPS officer said 50 per cent of Mumbai's problems can be solved if the traffic management is made more efficient and people-friendly.
