English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

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

Published

on

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Jumping Traffic Signals: Another common offence, 1,731 individuals were penalized for ignoring red lights, further risking accidents at busy intersections.
  4. Refusal to Use Public Transport: 1,976 instances were recorded where people refused to use designated public transport vehicles, contributing to unnecessary congestion.
  5. 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.
  6. Driving Without Seatbelts: Despite being a fundamental safety measure, 432 drivers were fined for not wearing seatbelts while driving.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Wear Helmets and Seatbelts: Wearing a helmet while riding and a seatbelt while driving can prevent serious injuries in case of accidents.
  3. Avoid Using Phones: Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Keep phones out of sight while driving to avoid accidents.
  4. Don’t Drink and Drive: Always arrange alternate transport if you plan to drink. Drunk driving can have fatal consequences.
  5. Respect Public Transport: Using public transport not only reduces road congestion but also promotes safer travel for everyone.
  6. 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.

India News

BJP releases first list of 47 candidates for Kerala assembly polls

The BJP has released its first list of 47 candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, including three former Union ministers.

Published

on

BJP releases list of candidates

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its first list of 47 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9.

Voting will take place for all 140 seats in the state assembly, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. A party or coalition needs at least 70 seats to secure a majority in the House.

Among the candidates announced in the first list are three former Union ministers — Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V. Muraleedharan and George Kurian.

Key candidates announced

Kerala BJP chief and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has been fielded from the Nemom assembly constituency. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Chandrasekhar lost the Thiruvananthapuram seat to three-time MP Shashi Tharoor, but he led in the Nemom assembly segment during that contest. The party believes this performance strengthens its prospects in the constituency.

Nemom has held political significance for the BJP since 2016, when senior leader O. Rajagopal won the seat and became the party’s first-ever MLA in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly. The victory marked the BJP’s initial breakthrough in the state assembly.

However, the seat returned to the Left camp in the 2021 Assembly election when V. Sivankutty defeated BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Former Union minister V. Muraleedharan will contest from the Kazhakoottam constituency, while George Kurian has been nominated from Kanjirappally.

Other candidates in the list

According to the list released by the party, several other candidates have also been announced for key constituencies. P. C. George will contest from Poonjar, R. Sreelekha from Vattiyoorkavu and Padmaja Venugopal from Thrissur.

The BJP has also nominated Sobha Surendran from Palakkad, Navya Haridas from Kozhikode North and Kavitha K. S. from Sulthanbathery, a reserved constituency.

Raji Prasad will contest from the Kunnathur seat reserved for Scheduled Castes, while R. Rashmi has been fielded from Kottarakkara.

Political backdrop in Kerala

Kerala’s electoral politics has traditionally alternated between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). However, the BJP has been attempting to expand its presence in the state.

The alternating trend was interrupted in the 2021 Assembly election when the electorate returned the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government to power for a second consecutive term.

The BJP believes recent electoral performances and local body successes have strengthened its position as it prepares to contest the upcoming assembly polls.

Continue Reading

India News

Fire in ICU at SCB medical college hospital in Cuttack kills 10 patients

Ten patients died after a fire broke out in the trauma ICU at SCB medical college hospital in Cuttack early Monday morning. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced compensation and ordered a judicial probe.

Published

on

A major fire at the trauma care intensive care unit (ICU) of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, early Monday morning left ten patients dead and several hospital staff members injured.

According to officials, the fire broke out between 2:30 am and 3:00 am in the trauma ICU where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. Emergency teams rushed to the scene soon after the incident, and multiple fire engines were deployed to control the blaze and assist in rescue operations.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said hospital staff were injured while evacuating patients from the affected ward during the emergency.

Patients shifted as rescue operations continued

Following the fire, 23 patients were moved to other departments and wards within the hospital to ensure their safety and continued medical care.

Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said seven critically ill patients died while being shifted to other ICUs and wards, while three more succumbed later.

“A total of 23 patients have been shifted to other departments. Seven serious patients died while shifting to other ICUs and wards, while another three patients died later. I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients,” Majhi said.

Chief minister visits hospital, announces compensation

Soon after the incident, Majhi visited the hospital along with Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling to review the situation. They also met patients who were undergoing treatment at the facility.

The Chief Minister announced financial assistance of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased patient.

He also ordered a judicial probe into the incident to determine the cause of the fire and examine safety measures at the hospital.

Authorities continue to monitor the condition of injured staff members and patients who were shifted from the ICU.

Continue Reading

India News

Arvind Kejriwal moves Supreme Court against Delhi High Court order in excise policy case

Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order related to proceedings in the excise policy case and alleging violation of his fundamental rights.

Published

on

Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging certain proceedings in the Delhi excise policy case and alleging a violation of his fundamental rights.

In a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, Kejriwal has questioned a decision of the Delhi High Court that put a freeze on remarks related to the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The petition also challenges an order of the High Court Chief Justice rejecting Kejriwal’s request to transfer the case to another bench.

Plea seeks change of bench

Earlier, on March 11, Kejriwal and several others submitted a representation to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya seeking reassignment of the case to what they described as an “impartial” judge.

In the representation, Kejriwal stated that he had a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension” that the matter may not receive an impartial hearing before the current bench.

However, the Chief Justice declined the request and said the petition had been assigned as per the existing roster.

According to the communication sent by the High Court’s Registrar General on March 13 to eight individuals including Kejriwal, the Chief Justice noted that any decision on recusal must be taken by the judge hearing the matter and that there was no reason to transfer the petition administratively.

Order on trial court proceedings also challenged

Kejriwal has also challenged a March 9 order passed by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court.

In that order, Justice Sharma had stayed a trial court direction that called for an investigation into a CBI officer who handled the excise policy case. The High Court had also asked the trial court to defer proceedings connected to the anti-money laundering aspect of the case.

Justice Sharma had further rejected certain observations made by the trial court while discharging Kejriwal and 22 others, stating that some of those remarks were erroneous.

Hearing expected on CBI plea

Meanwhile, Justice Sharma is scheduled to hear a petition filed by the CBI challenging the discharge of Kejriwal, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others in the excise policy case.

The matter remains under judicial consideration as the legal challenge now moves to the Supreme Court.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com