Latest news with #GCTP
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
International Traffic Signal Day observed
The Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) observed International Traffic Signal Day on August 5 to highlight the importance of traffic signals in ensuring safe and efficient road use. A vast network of signals in more than 300 junctions plays a key role in regulating traffic and reducing accidents in Chennai regularly organises road safety awareness campaigns aimed at sensitising road users to the importance of obeying traffic signals. GCTP is expanding traffic signals infrastructure, including the introduction of a futuristic Adaptive Traffic Control System at key junctions, said a press release.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- The Hindu
Have ‘challan posts' dwindled on social media?
Has Greater Chennai Traffic Police stopped issuing challans based on complaints on X? Browse through the official handle of GCTP @chennaitraffic and one would find no challan-related posts in the recent weeks. Challan is issued to levy a fine on a motorist after verifying the complaint posted by a user. This exercise builds trust among social media users about the traffic police taking action on their complaints, and also keeps the department informed about new concerns and issues faced by people. Shenoy Nagar resident Chinni Krishnan, who regularly posts complaints on X, says the handle @chennaitraffic has not posted any challan for close to 50 days now. 'They used to investigate and then issue challans. They acknowledge the tweet but then it goes all dark,' says Chinni. The resident has posted multiple complaints about vehicles abandoned at the junction of 3rd Cross Street East and Pulla Avenue that pose a safety risk to both pedestrians and motorists. He says his complaints have not been acted upon. The social media team of the traffic police say they post challans based on what they get from the traffic and planning wing of the department. A senior official from the planning section says issuing challans is a continuous process and they will resume it soon. Once a user posts a complaint, their team has to investigate whether it is a violation or an action done unintentionally. They have to review it and then take action, says the official. In June, GCTP had issued an advisory on fraudulent WhatsApp messages circulating using the GCTP logo as a display picture and sharing links that mimic traffic challan payments. It asked users not to click unless one is sure it is from an official source. Social media users wonder if the traffic police has been going slow on challans based on the fraudulent messages.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
Traffic police issue advisory on fake challans
The Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) has issued an advisory on fraudulent WhatsApp messages circulating, using the GCTP logo as a display picture and sharing links that mimic traffic challan payments. The advisory also appealed to the public not to click on these links —they may be deceptive. 'If you receive such messages, promptly report them to us,' said the GCTP. A senior police officer said earlier, fraudsters send challans and phishing links looking deceptively similar to those issued by the traffic police. Now they have adopted this new technique of sending fraudulent WhatsApp messages, using the GCTP logo as a display picture and sharing links that mimic traffic challan payments. However no complaint was received yet. The e-challan scam involves sending a WhatsApp message about a traffic violation with a link. When clicked or when an app is downloaded via the link, the fraudsters gain access to the bank accounts of the user. These fake websites look similar to official portals and are designed to steal credit card details, Aadhaar numbers, and login credentials, said Sankaraj Subramanian, a cyber expert.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- The Hindu
Parents face the consequences of road accidents caused by underage drivers
In a bid to crack down on underage driving, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) have been arresting and remanding parents of minors causing road accidents. According to police, five persons have been killed and 22 injured in accidents that involved minors behind the wheel in the past four months. Not only is underage driving illegal but it also puts drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. At Kumaran Colony in Vadapalani on the evening of April 7, the parents of a 13-year-old boy asked him to put the cover for their car. Instead, the minor took the car out for a drive on the sly and even picked up his friend. When the vehicle was near Kumaran Nagar Main Road, the boy lost control of it and hit two men. One of them, M. Mahalingam, 83, of Saligramam, died of a head injury at the hospital and the other Gangadharan, 49, was injured. The car was completely damaged. The next day, the Traffic Investigation Wing (TIW) arrested the boy's father and sent him to judicial remand. The boy was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home. A few days later, in yet another case, Sampath, 76, was injured after a 16-year-old boy allegedly rammed him with a two-wheeler when he was walking on the road in Saligramam. The juvenile boy was riding his mother's two-wheeler. Car overturns On April 1, a 17-year-old boy, accompanied by four of his friends, took his father's car for a drive in Vyasarpadi. He drove the car rashly and lost control, which resulted in it overturning after hitting a concrete wall. The TIW, Vyasarpadi, nabbed the juvenile driver and seized the car. The parent of the minor was booked under the relevant laws. A senior traffic police officer said: 'On most occasions, the parents themselves encourage their children to ride two-wheelers to go to nearby shops, tuition centres, and school without realising the consequences and that rules do not allow minors to drive. In a few instances, minors drive the vehicles without the knowledge of their parents.' On Monday, a 14-year-old boy rode his father's bike in Poonamallee, with his two friends riding pillion. When they were near Malayambakkam, the boy lost control of the vehicle and rammed a concrete median. The rider died on the spot in the impact, and the two others were rushed to a hospital in critical condition. According to statistics of the GCTP, there were five fatal accidents and five persons were killed in road accidents caused by the underage drivers-minors and over 22 persons were injured in such accidents. In 2014, 13 fatalities were reported and 33 persons were injured. So far in this year, five persons have been killed, 22 injured. A senior officer of the GCTP said Section 199-A of the Motor Vehicles Act dealt with offences committed by juveniles. As per the provision, the guardian of the juvenile in question or the vehicle's owner would be held liable for the accident. The guardian or owner would be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of ₹25,000. The officer said parents and guardians would be held responsible for the accidents, whether fatal or non-fatal. 'Recently, at least 12 parents have been remanded in judicial custody in underage driving cases. We are taking strict action against the violators,' he added. Rajkumar Muthukrishnan, child rights activist and lawyer, Madras High Court, said accidents caused by underage driving posed grave risks to children's safety and the broader community. Disrespect for rules 'When minors flout traffic laws, it normalises disrespect for rules, undermining our collective trust in road safety. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to secure vehicles and educate children. We support stricter penalties for negligence, including fines or community service. Schools must integrate road safety into their curricula and collaborate with the traffic police for workshops on road safety,' he said. Mr. Muthukrishnan added that authorities should implement stricter enforcement such as impounding vehicles used by minors and patrolling accident-prone zones. Number of accidents caused due to underage driving Year Fatal accidents Non-fatal accidents 2023 5 22 2024 13 33 2025 (as of April) 5 22
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor: Traffic diversion in Chennai for CM Stalin's solidarity rally
The Greater Chennai Police has announced traffic diversion on Kamarajar Salai on Saturday (May 10, 2025) in view of the solidarity march to be led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to support the Indian Defence Forces, which has launched Operation Sindoor. The march is scheduled at 5 pm from Light House and will conclude at the War Memorial near Napier bridge. An estimated 25,000 participants including Ministers, dignitaries, students, and the general public are expected to take part in the march. The Great Chennai City Traffic Police(GCTP) announced traffic diversion which will be implemented between 4 pm to 6 pm. During the procession, vehicles will not be allowed on Kamarajar Salai from the War memorial to the LightHouse. Police said vehicles coming from Thiruvanmiyur towards Parry's corner via Kamarajar Salai are not allowed. Instead, they can use Sardar Patel Road, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Anna Salai to reach their destination. Similarly, vehicles coming from Parry's to Thiruvanmiyur are also not allowed. Instead, they will use Anna Salai, Teynampet, Gandhi Mandapam Road to reach Madhya Kailash. MTC buses from Anna Statue will be diverted towards Wellington Junction, GP road, Tower Clock, GRH point, Royapettah High Road, Lloyds Road, Jambulingam Street, RK Salai - VM Street, Mandaveli, Mylapore to reach their destination. Similarly vehicles from Greenways Junction towards Santhome will be diverted towards Mandaveli,RA Puram 2nd main road, TTK Salai, RK Salai, Anna Salai to reach their destination. Commercial vehicles are restricted in Kamarajar Salai, Anna Salai, Santhome High Road, R.K Salai, Cathedral Road, Wallajah road from 12 noon to 9 pm, said the GCTP Similarly parking arrangements have also been made. All the vehicles dropping participants at Kamarajar Salai near Gandhi statue- starting point of the procession will be redirected to Swami Sivanandha Salai, Island Ground for parking. Additional parking place is also provided at PWD ground for the participants. VIP vehicles will enter island ground via flagstaff road to park their vehicles. Other motorists are advised to plan the alternative route avoiding the Kamarajar Salai.
