Latest news with #GreaterChennaiTrafficPolice
The Hindu
5 days ago
- 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
02-06-2025
- The Hindu
On World Bicycle Day, a plea to make Chennai safe for cyclists
A year ago, a young life was snuffed out on GST Road due to an accident involving a car and a cycle. Hit by the car, the young cyclist was thrown off the saddle. Earlier, a couple of years ago, another cyclist was fatally knocked down by a vehicle that was proceeding on the wrong side of the road. Early this year, a young woman was hit by a speeding car near MEPZ Oragadam. Despite being rushed to the hospital, her memory and cognitive power diminished due to the head injuries she sustained. And it has taken a full four months for her to come back to normality. Likewise, two girls cycling to school on Theosophical Society Road in Besant Nagar met with an accident due to a pothole, and were hit by a minibus. One of the girls lost her life, and the other sustained serious injuries. Every other day, we come across such instances of cyclists being hit by speeding cars, bikes, lorries and buses in Chennai. While some of these incidents have been recorded by the police, many go undocumented. These incidents illustrate that despite following safety rules such as wearing safety gear, reflective clothes, having headlights and taillights and using hand signals, cyclists are vulnerable on our roads. While International Bicycling Day (June 3) is more about advocating cycling for its positive impact, we want road safety to be the overarching message. Many cities are making major changes to their infrastructure, urban development plans and policies to protect the interests of cyclists and other non-motorised transport users. Chennai must also take a leaf out of their books. Currently, many of the city's roads are in a shambles due to Chennai Metro work. Owing to this and other reasons, the number of cyclists in Chennai has also dwindled. Even on roads such as the ECR, GST Road and OMR where some demarcation was created for cyclists, these lines have disappeared with time. The Greater Chennai Traffic Police ran a campaign 'Zero is Good' appealing to people to be safe on roads to ensure there are zero accidents. However, its life and effects were short-lived. We need many such initiatives, particularly those promoting a culture of safe bicycling, to be run on a regular basis. Our demands * Every road in the city — arterial or otherwise — must have a lane for slow-moving traffic such as bicycles and be maintained well. Other motorists encroaching upon the lane should be penalised. * Wrong side driving violations must be handled with an iron hand as these are big threats to cyclists. * Safe parking spots must be made available for cyclists as most people avoid taking the cycle for short distance commutes for fear of losing their bicycle despite having it locked. * A stronger enforcement of road rules and speed limits is needed, especially during the hours when school and college students need to use the road, so that children can take to the saddle safely. * All roads that are not children-friendly must be explicitly marked. * Provide better lighting. * Stricter laws that treat the cyclist and pedestrian on par with other road users must be proposed to safeguard the interests of cyclists. * Schools should inculcate a sense of vehicular equity in the minds of children so they learn and practise on-road etiquette early on. * The Government must come forward for collaborative efforts with passionate organisations that are making concerted efforts to make people take up cycling and other non-motorised transportation forms. * Bicycle tourism in the city could be promoted. (Priya Darshini Tarakkad Arjunan is a member of Chennai Cyclists)
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
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IPL 2025: Traffic advisory issued for CSK vs PBKS match at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium today; check routes, parking details here
NEW DELHI: In view of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 fixture between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police have issued special traffic and parking arrangements to facilitate smooth vehicular flow and ensure public safety in and around MA Chidambaram Stadium . The match is set to begin at 7.30pm, and a large turnout is expected. To manage the anticipated crowd and traffic congestion, the following arrangements will be enforced from 5pm to 11pm. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Parking arrangements For car pass holders: Vehicles with valid car passes will be allowed to park only in areas designated on their respective passes. For non-car pass holders: Self-driven vehicles: Spectators driving to the venue are advised to take Cathedral Road ? R.K. Salai ? Kamarajar Salai (Marina Beach Road) and park at the Marina Beach Service Road. Access to the stadium will be via pedestrian subways. Taxis, auto-rickshaws & chauffeur-driven vehicles: Commuters should approach via Anna Salai ? Wallajah Road for drop-off near the stadium, post which vehicles may proceed to Sivananda Salai for parking. Mini buses / MTC / special buses: Entry of buses will be restricted on Wallajah Road. Pick-up and drop-off points will be located at Swamy Sivananda Salai, and passengers may walk to the stadium via Press Club Road. Traffic diversions Victoria Hostel Road (Canal Road): Entry allowed only from Bharathi Salai. No entry from Wallajah Road. Bells Road: To function as a one-way road with entry permitted only from Bharathi Salai. No entry from Wallajah Salai. Bharathi Salai: Vehicles heading from Ratna Café towards Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at the Bells Road – Wallajah Salai junction. Public transport advisory Spectators are strongly encouraged to use public transport. The Chepauk MRTS Station and Government Estate Metro Station offer convenient access to the stadium. These measures are part of a broader, season-long traffic management plan by the Greater Chennai Traffic Police for all Chennai Super Kings home fixtures at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Similar arrangements will be implemented for upcoming matches against Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and other visiting teams.
New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Road deaths in Chennai drop 14% in 2025; GCP patrols respond to emergencies in five minutes
CHENNAI: Fatalities on Chennai roads have dropped by 14% in 2025, from January 1 to April 25, compared to the same period in 2024, said a press note from the Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP). While it was 173 in 2024, it has come down to 149 this year. The police attribute the drop in numbers to stricter enforcement against speeding, drunken driving, and helmetless riding by way of manual checks and using tech like ANPR cameras, 2D speed radars, and vehicle interceptor systems. The police have also enhanced patrolling, awareness drives, and public education campaigns promoting road discipline and the use of protective gear, the press note said. Apart from this, training programmes for police personnel on using tech, along with workshops for school children, bus drivers, and delivery agents, have helped, the press note said. Accident-prone spots are actively identified and rectified by improving road conditions, signage, and lighting, it added. 5-min response time for emergency calls Chennai: The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) have said that their patrol teams have maintained a five-minute response time to 69,629 emergency calls so far this year. Covering 12 police districts, GCP deploys 234 patrol vehicles, alongside 29 additional patrols, 98 Gypsy patrols, and 25 special mobile units, operating round the clock, said a press note. It said that emergency calls to the 100 helpline are routed from the State Police Master Control Room (SPMCR) directly to patrols via radio. Every vehicle is GPS-tracked to monitor movement and ensure timely responses. Typically, patrols are stationed near busy areas like transport hubs, schools, and major junctions. Beyond emergency responses, they assist with calls concerning fire hazards, power issues, and civic problems, coordinating with other departments as needed. ENS
