Latest news with #ChandigarhTrafficPolice
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Chandigarh Police warn personnel against traffic violations, remind them of double penalty for law enforcers
The Chandigarh Traffic Police have warned their personnel against committing traffic violations, whether in uniform or civil dress, as some police officials are occasionally found breaking traffic rules while driving either official or personal vehicles. According to a directive issued on Monday, the image of Chandigarh Police is tarnished when such incidents are reported by the media, with photographs of traffic violations by police personnel published in newspapers. The directive clearly states that no police official should commit any traffic violation while on the road and reiterates that under section 210(B) of the Motor Vehicles Act, any traffic offence committed by an enforcing authority attracts twice the penalty prescribed for the violation. 'Any such misconduct, if brought to notice, will invite departmental action against the concerned official. Non-compliance with these orders shall be viewed seriously,' the directive warns. Shri Prakash, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic, said the provision for double penalty already exists under the Motor Vehicles Act, but it has now been emphasised among police personnel for strict adherence. 'We have just reiterated the rule among the policemen, and it needs to be strictly complied with,' he added. The move aims to ensure that law enforcers themselves set an example of traffic discipline for the public, said DSP Shri Prakash.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Timers to help pedestrians cross roads safely get green light
In a major push for pedestrian safety, the Chandigarh Road Safety Committee has given the go-ahead for installation of pedestrian countdown timers at 45 major traffic junctions across the city. The move, aimed at improving road discipline and reducing road mishaps, comes following recommendations from the Chandigarh Traffic Police and a review of existing infrastructure gaps. The timers, which will display the countdown for red (stop) and green (walk) signals, are set to be placed at junctions that record high vehicular and foot traffic. The timers will help pedestrians and cyclists gauge crossing time more accurately, minimising confusion and last-minute road sprints. The project had earlier been awarded to M/s Sainico, which was tasked with installing timers at key pedestrian signals, including the Sector 22/23 U-turn point, with a completion deadline of 45 days. However, the contractor has now sought an extension, prompting the administration to issue a formal notice for delay. The executive engineer (Electrical) of the UT engineering department has been directed to prepare a detailed cost estimate for installing timers at all 45 identified junctions and submit an action-taken report (ATR) in the next review meeting, which will also help set a clear timeline for the project's implementation. 'Timer signals are not just about convenience,they're critical for pedestrian safety and for ensuring smoother traffic behaviour. This is a public safety priority. The proposal has received in-principle approval and will be taken up by the department concerned for tendering process,' said SSP (Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh. Pelican lights at high-footfall junctions In addition to timers, the city is also preparing to install pedestrian pelican signals at locations identified as vulnerable. A recent survey by Chandigarh Traffic Police recommended 12 such locations across the city. These signals allow pedestrians to temporarily halt vehicular traffic with the press of a button, offering them a safe window to cross. After deliberations, it was decided that the first phase will include 5-6 high-priority spots with heavy pedestrian movement. The UT chief engineer, in coordination with traffic police, has been assigned to finalise these locations and present the ATR in the upcoming meeting. Defective blinkers to be replaced Further strengthening its pedestrian safety initiative, the administration will also replace defective traffic blinkers at 14 locations across the city. These blinkers have crossed their operational lifespan and were flagged during a traffic police survey. Some of the critical locations where blinkers will be replaced include Khuda Lahora Bridge, Dhanas Lake and Industrial Area Phase 1 (near Sanjay Colony T-Point).
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Dealer fined ₹25k for not steering exchanged car's transfer
For failing to transfer the ownership of a city resident's old car, exchanged for a new one, which led to a speeding challan landing at his address, a car dealership will be coughing up ₹25,000 as compensation. Terming them guilty of deficiency in service, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-DF 1 has directed the dealership, Lally Motors, to pay the complainant ₹15,000 for mental agony and ₹10,000 as costs of litigation. Further, the dealership has also been told to clear the pending challan and transfer the exchanged car's ownership to either themselves or the new owner to whom they have sold the vehicle. In 2019, the complainant, Dr Swaran Singh, a resident of Sector 18, had walked into Lally Motors in Industrial Area to purchase a Volkswagen Vento car. Under a scheme, he agreed to exchange his old vehicle, valued around ₹2 lakh, which was adjusted against the price of the new vehicle. After the deal, the dealership had issued a delivery letter-cum-undertaking, dated October 23, 2019, promising that they will be responsible for all future taxes, challans and accidents related to the old car. But three years later, Dr Singh received a challan from the Chandigarh Traffic Police in December 2022, much to his surprise. The photograph attached to the challan showed his old car, which had supposedly been sold to someone else by the dealership. On inspecting further, to his shock, Dr Singh learned that the dealership had failed to transfer the car's ownership to its new owner after the exchange. Approaching the consumer commission, the complainant alleged that the car dealership sold his old car further without transferring its ownership, a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. The dealership was summoned by the commission but they didn't turn up and were proceeded against ex parte on October 21 2024. Skoda Auto Volkswagen India contested the complaint, taking preliminary objections of maintainability, cause of action, jurisdiction and non-joinder of the necessary party. They alleged that so far as selling of the car went, they had nothing to do with it, and it was a matter between the dealership and the complainant. The commission accepted that the company had no role in the dispute and dismissed the complaint against them. However, it observed that the complainant had submitted documentary proof against the dealership, which was not rebutted in any way. Disposing of the complaint, the commission slapped a ₹25,000 penalty on the dealership, including the compensation and litigation costs.
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh Traffic Police targeting late-night speeding with laser eye
Speedsters revving up to race through empty roads at night should think again, as Chandigarh Traffic Police have armed themselves with night-vision LiDAR guns to catch such offenders. Launching a crackdown on late-night speeding, a major cause of fatal accidents, traffic police have issued 150 challans between May 19 and May 31. Most speed violations recorded during the speed enforcement drives ranged between 70 kmph and 110 kmph, significantly exceeding the permissible limits on city roads. The drives were conducted daily between 10 pm and 1 am, focusing on key entry points to the city, including Airport light point to Hallo Majra light point, Sector 9/10 dividing road and Transport light point. These locations were identified based on traffic analysis and past accident records, particularly noting a higher incidence of speeding during late hours when traffic is sparse and enforcement is typically more challenging. LiDAR guns, also known as laser speed guns, use light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to measure the speed of moving vehicles with a high degree of precision. The Chandigarh Traffic Police currently have six LiDAR speed meters, including advanced models equipped with night vision capabilities. This enables accurate detection of speeding vehicles even in poor lighting conditions, which is a critical factor for night-time enforcement. SSP (Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh said, 'Our teams are equipped with laser speed meters that allow them to monitor speeding violations with unmatched precision. These devices work efficiently in the dark and have helped us tighten enforcement during hours when violations tend to spike.' The speed of light is a constant, which allows these calculations to be highly accurate. Since the laser beam is tightly focused, officers can easily target a specific vehicle in a group of traffic, reducing the chances of false readings. Why night-time enforcement matters SSP (Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh explained that speeding during night hours posed a significant risk to road safety. With reduced visibility, higher speeds, and often, lowered vigilance by drivers, the chances of fatal crashes increase manifold. In Chandigarh, several recent fatal accidents have been attributed to speeding during late-night or early-morning hours. Currently, 10 traffic cops have been deployed at various locations in Chandigarh with speed guns. Plans for expansion 'We are planning to expand laser speed monitoring across the city, especially on roads where speeding is more likely due to low traffic volume at night. Surprise checks will continue to be a key component of our strategy to ensure compliance. Our aim is not just enforcement but deterrence—by deploying these high-precision, night-vision-enabled laser speed meters, we are making it clear that reckless driving will not go unchecked, regardless of the hour,' the SSP said. Deadly speeding after dark May 11, 2025: While cycling to work near the Sector 9/10 light point, UT police constable Anand Dev, 35, was struck by a BMW driven by 26-year-old Ishan Shanker Roy, who was allegedly performing stunts at high speed. The constable succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Roy fled the scene but was later arrested. March 14, 2025: A brown Volkswagen Polo driven by Govind, 32, a watchman at a used-car dealership in Industrial Area, Phase 1, ploughed through a naka set up by Chandigarh Police for Holi night checking, killing a car driver, whose vehicle was being checked, and two on-duty police personnel. He had fled the scene but was arrested within hours. March 10, 2025: A speeding Porsche Cayenne, reportedly driven on the wrong side, collided with two scooters in Sector 4, killing a man and injuring two women. The Porsche driver, Sanjeev Baboota, was arrested and the vehicle was seized.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Indian Express
20.02 lakh challans out of 35.93 lakh unpaid since 2019 in Chandigarh: RTI reply
A total of 20.02 lakh challans are still unpaid among the 35.93 lakh challans issued by the Chandigarh Traffic Police since 2019, revealed the data obtained via an RTI. In the RTI reply by the Chandigarh Traffic Police, over the past six years and four months (from Jan 1, 2019 to 2025 till May 4), 35,93,667 (35.93 lakh) challans have been issued across the city roads to vehicles registered in Chandigarh and outside, however a majority of the violators — 20,02,995 (20.02 lakh), have not responded to the fines, and just 15,90,672 (15.9 lakh) challans were paid by violators. In 2025 itself, till May 4, 2025 — 3,27,732 challans were issued by the traffic police, however just 71,00,85 challans were paid by violators. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh said that the failure to clear the challans will result in suspension of driving licences and registration certificates, as been recommended by Chandigarh Traffic Police to the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), Chandigarh to act further against the violators who are habitual offenders. A list of offenders, who have been issued multiple challans, in the city has been prepared and the RLA has been suspending driving licences on the basis of this list. Also, a habitual traffic offender, will not be able to get PUC (pollution under control) certificate for his vehicle, thus attracting more challans and fines, a traffic police official said. Meanwhile, R K Garg, an RTI Activist in Chandigarh, raised questions on the issue stating that, 'there is urgent need to find out reasons for such an all-time high pendency of traffic violation challans'. 'The pace of payment of challans should speed up, otherwise the challans piled up will take several years to get cleared.' 'With such a large number of challans and less recovery, we still lack the safe and efficient traffic management. It is worrisome that fatal accidents have killed 8 persons per month and dangerous driving is on increase. The concerned departments must take a call unless it is too late,' added Garg. According to records, Rs 5.35-crore fine was collected from 3.25 lakh challans issued by the Chandigarh Police in 2025 till April. In 2024 — Rs 21.38-crore fine was received from 10.25 lakh challans, and Rs 26.26 crore from 10.32 challans issued in 2023. The maximum fine collected in the past five years was in 2022, when Rs 28.33 from 6.11 lakh challans were received, whereas in 2021 — Rs 15-crore fine was collected against 2.42 lakh challans. Red light jump, speeding top offences Three offences — red light jump, speeding, and driving without helmet, are the top three offences committed by the violators in Chandigarh. In 2025, till April — 1.55 lakh challans were issued for red light jump, 39,000 for speeding, and 3,100 for driving without helmet. Similarly, in 2024 — 5,00,952 challans were issued for red light jump, 1,47,663, for speeding, and 84,737 for driving without helmet, and in 2023 — 4,25,048 challans for red light jump, 2,06,276 for speeding, and 1,28,935 for driving without helmet, were raised.
