India News

Mumbai issues traffic fines worth Rs 89 Lakh on New Year’s Eve: A Wake-Up call for road safety

Published

2 years ago

January 1, 2025

Mumbai traffic fines, New Year's Eve, traffic violations, road safety, drunk driving fines

As Mumbai ushered in 2025 with grand celebrations and a bustling atmosphere, the city’s traffic police were busy keeping a close watch on road safety. The result: a staggering Rs 89 lakh worth of traffic fines issued throughout the night. A total of 17,800 traffic violations were recorded across various parts of the city, serving as a powerful reminder about the importance of adhering to road safety rules, even during festive times.

Major violations and fines

Mumbai’s streets, known for their usual traffic chaos, saw a number of violations that continued to add pressure on the already congested roads. Some of the key violations recorded include:

Obstructing the Flow of Traffic: A total of 2,893 drivers were fined for obstructing traffic. These instances often cause severe disruptions, especially on New Year’s Eve when the roads are flooded with partygoers and celebratory traffic.
Riding Without Helmets: Helmets are essential for the safety of two-wheeler riders, yet 1,923 individuals were caught violating this basic traffic safety rule.
Jumping Traffic Signals: Another common offence, 1,731 individuals were penalized for ignoring red lights, further risking accidents at busy intersections.
Refusal to Use Public Transport: 1,976 instances were recorded where people refused to use designated public transport vehicles, contributing to unnecessary congestion.
Speed Limit Violations: Speeding remained a critical issue, with 842 challans issued to drivers for exceeding the speed limits, a potentially dangerous violation, especially on busy roads during the celebrations.
Driving Without Seatbelts: Despite being a fundamental safety measure, 432 drivers were fined for not wearing seatbelts while driving.
Drunk Driving: With alcohol often playing a major role in New Year’s Eve celebrations, 153 drunk drivers were apprehended, highlighting the ongoing issue of driving under the influence.
Mobile Use While Driving: Distracted driving continues to be a concern, with 109 challans issued for drivers caught using their mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Triple Riding and Wrong-Side Driving: 123 challans were issued for triple riding, and another 40 for driving on the wrong side of the road, both of which significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Dangerous Driving: Two offenders were charged with dangerous driving, a violation that can lead to severe consequences if left unchecked.

Total fines and enforcement measures

In total, traffic authorities issued Rs 89,19,750 worth of fines, underlining the scale of traffic violations on New Year’s Eve. The heavy fines were a result of vigilant enforcement by Mumbai’s police force. In anticipation of the large crowds and increased traffic, the police deployed a significant number of personnel:

8 Additional Commissioners
29 Deputy Commissioners
53 Assistant Commissioners
2,184 Inspectors
Over 12,000 constables

Ensuring safety amid celebrations

To ensure that New Year’s Eve was enjoyable yet safe, the police set up several checkpoints across the city, aimed at detecting drunk drivers and maintaining smooth traffic flow in crowded areas. Regular patrolling and surveillance were conducted, especially in locations where people gathered for celebrations.

While Mumbai’s traffic police worked tirelessly to ensure safety, other major cities like Delhi and Bengaluru also adopted similar measures. These cities increased patrolling and set up checkpoints to curb drunk driving and other traffic violations, ensuring that people rang in the New Year responsibly.

Key takeaways: What we can learn

The incident serves as a stark reminder about the need for responsible driving, particularly during celebrations when road traffic spikes. Some key points for road users to remember include:

Follow Traffic Signals: Ignoring traffic signals endangers lives. It is crucial to stop at red lights and wait for the signal to turn green before moving forward.
Wear Helmets and Seatbelts: Wearing a helmet while riding and a seatbelt while driving can prevent serious injuries in case of accidents.
Avoid Using Phones: Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Keep phones out of sight while driving to avoid accidents.
Don’t Drink and Drive: Always arrange alternate transport if you plan to drink. Drunk driving can have fatal consequences.
Respect Public Transport: Using public transport not only reduces road congestion but also promotes safer travel for everyone.
Obey Speed Limits: Driving within the speed limit is essential for maintaining control over your vehicle and avoiding accidents, especially in heavy traffic conditions.

The need for awareness

The fines issued on New Year’s Eve act as a wake-up call for road safety in Mumbai and other cities across India. While the festive spirit is important, the need to maintain law and order on the roads remains crucial for ensuring that everyone enjoys a safe and happy New Year. The police’s actions serve as a stern reminder that traffic rules are in place to protect us all, and violations will not be tolerated, no matter the occasion. Let this be a lesson for all road users to be more responsible and considerate while on the road.

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

Published

14 hours ago

August 16, 2026

APNLive Desk

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

India News

IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

India News

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

2 days ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.