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Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
‘Operation U-Turn' Cuts Road Deaths by 62.5% in Nagpur
1 2 Nagpur: In a major boost to road safety, Nagpur Police's recently launched 'Operation U-Turn' has led to a dramatic 62.5% drop in road accident deaths in July 2025 compared to the same month last year. The operation, aimed primarily at curbing drunk driving and other dangerous road behaviours, was launched on July 10 and has been active for just 21 days. Under the leadership of CP Ravinder Singal and DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani, more than 2,500 motorists and bikers were pulled up during late evening drives. Police said the targeted enforcement, especially between 6pm and midnight, proved critical in cutting down both fatalities and serious injuries on city roads. According to data compiled by the traffic branch's accident cell, fatal accidents dropped from 40 in July 2024 to 15 this year, while the number of serious injuries reduced from 13 to just 2 — an 84.6% reduction. Senior officials said the most significant factor behind the fall was the crackdown on drunken driving, along with enforcement of helmet rules and action against wrong-side driving. "Checkpoints were set up across the city to monitor violations, especially in high-risk areas and during peak accident hours," said CP Singal. "Heavy fines and legal action were taken against offenders. But Operation U-Turn is not just about enforcement — it's about building a culture of road safety. The encouraging results also reflect citizen cooperation." Jt CP Navinchandra Reddy, who is also overseeing the drive, added that "data-driven policing and focused enforcement" were the keys to success. "Community engagement also played a big role," he said. To complement enforcement, the police also conducted public awareness campaigns, including outreach programmes to educate citizens on the importance of wearing helmets, obeying signals, and not driving under the influence. Launched as a response to the city's growing accident toll, the drive is now being seen as a model for targeted road safety campaigns. Nagpur Police said it plans to sustain the momentum by expanding the operation and introducing AI-based traffic monitoring systems to improve surveillance and compliance. "Dangerous driving behaviours won't be tolerated, and we'll continue to take strict action," said DCP Matani, adding that efforts would continue until road deaths are significantly reduced.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
Op U-Turn: Over 600 drunk drivers caught in 18 days
1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur traffic police booked a staggering 1,324 motorists for drunk driving from January 1 to July 28 this year. What is more startling is that 636 of these violators — nearly 48% — were recorded during just an 18-day special drive 'Operation U-Turn' held between July 10 and 28. In addition to cracking down on violators, Operation U-Turn appears to have had a positive impact on overall road safety. In July 2024, the city recorded 39 road accidents. However, as of July 28, the number reduced to just around 15 — a drop of nearly 62%. DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani confirmed the trend, saying, "Accidents too have reduced significantly this month due to our intensified focus on enforcement." The crackdown, carried out across all 10 traffic zones in the city, revealed some troubling trends. Indora zone topped the list with 94 drunk driving cases in just 18 days, followed by Kamptee (86) and Sonegaon (78), MIDC area (77), Sadar (65), Cotton Market (60), Lakadganj (59), and Ajni (56). Sakkardara and Sitabuldi zones, which are otherwise known for heavy traffic movement, reported lower figures — 26 and 35 cases respectively — suggesting either improved compliance or effective deterrence. Sitabuldi, in particular (where the office of DCP (traffic) is located), is known for stricter enforcement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo "Traffic cops in the Sitabuldi zone are more vigilant, and this has had a clear impact. Tipsy motorists tend to avoid taking that stretch," said a senior official. "The traffic cops also formed 10 special mobile patrol units which focus on drunk drivers trying to dodge checkpoints by taking sudden U-turns and slipping into side lanes," said ACP Madhuri Baviskar. Besides this, surprise nakabandi near pubs, clubs, and bars from 11pm to 2am, she added. Officials stated that Operation U-Turn was launched to send a strong message ahead of the festive season, when cases of drunk driving tend to spike. Breath analyser checks were intensified near pubs, bars, highways, and arterial roads during late evening and night hours. With more such drives planned in the coming months, police have urged citizens to stay responsible. "One careless mistake can be fatal — not just for the driver, but for others on the road," said a senior traffic cop.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Nagpur Police Deploy 10 Patrol Units To Nab Drunk Drivers Dodging Nakabandis With U-Turns, Bylanes
Nagpur: Intensifying their crackdown on drunk driving, city police have deployed 10 mobile patrol units to catch motorists attempting to dodge nakabandis by taking sudden U-turns or slipping into side lanes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The mobile squads, part of the ongoing 'Operation U-Turn', are patrolling key stretches at night to catch such offenders. The campaign has already yielded encouraging results. Between July 10 and 21, police registered 449 cases of driving under the influence (DUI) during nakabandis across 10 major traffic zones. During this period, 4,415 vehicles were checked, and 1,417 other traffic violations were recorded. Lakadganj reported the highest number of vehicle checks (607), indicating focused enforcement in that area. The drive is set to continue with intensified surveillance, particularly near nightlife hotspots, as police push for safer roads and more responsible driving behaviour. "We've seen a positive impact of Operation U-Turn in reducing fatal accidents. To scale it further, we've introduced two new measures — 10 mobile patrol teams for random checks and surprise nakabandis near pubs, clubs, and bars from 11 pm to 2 am," said deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) Lohit Matani. "If you've had alcohol, please take a cab or assign a sober driver. Every life matters. Our enforcement is citywide and strict," he added, urging citizens to avoid drunk driving altogether.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Time of India
Op U-Turn: 336 caught driving drunk in 8 days
1 2 Nagpur: Cracking down on drunk driving under 'Operation U-Turn,' Nagpur city police have booked as many as 336 individuals in just eight days. The drive, which focused on night hours and high-risk zones, included intensified nakabandis, breathalyser tests, and increased patrolling across the city. According to official data, the Indora traffic zone registered the highest number of offenders. A total of 71 individuals were booked for driving under the influence of liquor after police checked 367 people in that area. Sonegaon zone followed closely with 42 drivers booked out of 52 individuals tested. This ratio suggests one of the highest concentrations of drunk drivers in the city. MIDC and Kamptee zones recorded 40 cases each, with checks conducted on 129 and 133 motorists, respectively. These areas, which include industrial and suburban sectors, have shown consistent patterns of violations, according to police. Lakadganj zone registered 36 cases from 43 tested individuals. In Ajni, police booked 26 drunk drivers after checking 123 motorists. Meanwhile, the Sadar zone reported 29 bookings from 45 tests. In contrast, Cotton Market saw just 23 violations despite the police checking 275 individuals, one of the highest sample sizes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo Sitabuldi recorded the lowest with 18 cases from 25 checks, while Sakkardara saw 21 offenders out of 147 tested. Police have clarified that this focused campaign targets night-time and weekend traffic, especially in areas with bars activity or youth gatherings. A total of 1,339 individuals were tested across all zones, making the operation one of the most extensive in recent times. Senior officers confirmed that repeat offenders will face stricter penalties, including license suspension and court proceedings. They also added that cases where drivers refuse breath tests will be treated seriously and penalised under relevant provisions. The traffic control branch, under the supervision of police commissioner Ravinder Singal, DCP Lohit Matani and ACP Madhuri Baviskar, is leading the campaign. More mobile units are expected to be deployed soon across the city.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
‘One Day, One Gang' drive brings crime down by 28% in West Nagpur
Nagpur: The 'One Day, One Gang' drive launched by Zone 1 DCP Lohit Matani has resulted in a sharp decline in crime rate in West Nagpur. According to official stats, the crime rate dropped 28% in Zone 1, comprising Wadi, MIDC, Hingna, Pratap Nagar, Bajaj Nagar and Sonegaon police stations, from January to June 2025 as compared to the same period last year. In a crackdown against organised crime and gangs, police have externed 120 criminals and sent another five behind bars for a year under the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act. " We have disrupted the ecosystem of organised crime in West Nagpur. We encouraged registration of offences and, wherever possible, initiated coercive actions against habitual offenders," said Matani. The drive was launched under the guidance of CP Ravinder Singal. According to police sources, the largest-ever externment operation in Nagpur led to the banishment of 15 criminal gangs and several habitual offenders from the city and rural limits for two years. "We made it compulsory for the cops to target one gang each day and check on one of its gangsters daily," Matani said. The 'One Day, One Gang' initiative includes daily foot patrols, combing operations, and rigorous checks in crime-prone areas, increasing police presence and visibility across West Nagpur. According to official data, the total number of crimes in Zone 1 dropped from 480 (from January to June) in 2024 to 348 in the corresponding period of 2025. Crimes against people and property also saw a significant decline, with attempted murder cases falling from 8 to 3, robbery from 4 to none, chain snatching from 3 to none, and rape cases dropping from 30 to 18. Similarly, motorcycle thefts reduced from 134 to 92, while total thefts declined from 199 to 154. Matani's team also invoked Section 111 of the BNS against two criminals and charged 108 others under Section 163 of the BNS to ensure public safety during festivals and events. Beyond enforcement, the police team also targeted illegal activities such as gambling, illicit liquor sales, hookah parlours, and drug trafficking. Informants were deployed to monitor externed criminals, while searches of their residences and restrictions on movement helped dismantle criminal networks further. Complementing these efforts, Matani's 'Police Uncle, Police Sister' campaign worked to build community trust by educating students on safe touch, the risks of addiction, and civic responsibilities. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
