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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Hyderabad cops nab 35 more drunk drivers ferrying students; over 3,000 tested in citywide checks, schools may face action
By: HYDERABAD: In a span two weeks, Hyderabad traffic police have nabbed 35 drivers for ferrying school children in an inebriated state. Cops found that the blood alcohol content (BAC) in some drivers was alarmingly high — between 200 mg/ml and 400 mg/ml The permissible BAC level is 30 mg/ml. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad That this comes less than a month after 13 drivers of school transport vehicles were caught for drunk driving, shows how this dangerous practice is widespread and a common affair on Hyderabad's roads. 'All 28 police stations in our jurisdiction have been conducting surprise checks at various locations in the city like HPS out gate, Paradise Junction, and CTO point. Every day, each police station checks about 15 to 20 vehicles at least two times a day,' said P Chandrashekhar working with the Hyderabad traffic police team. 'Often we have noticed drivers driving recklessly. When we stopped to check them, they were found to be under the influence of alcohol. ' Of those apprehended in the recent drive that ended last week, 12 were school bus drivers, 19 auto and four van drivers. Police mull asking edu dept to act against erring schools These were among the over 3,000 drivers put through breathalyser tests at random by Hyderabad traffic police. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo All have been booked under the Motor Vehicles Act and taken into judicial custody, said the police. Hyderabad has more than 10,000 vehicles (buses, autos and vans) ferrying school children every day. Apart from drunk driving, police also apprehended 100 drivers — 85 auto and 15 private vans — for overloading and carrying more students than their vehicles can accommodate. 'This is an equally dangerous violation as there are high chances the vehicle could lose balance and cause accidents,' said Rahul Hegde, DCP (traffic-1), Hyderabad. While the police have decided not to initiate criminal action against the schools, they are mulling writing to the education dept urging it to take the erring schools to task. 'During our awareness programme last month, we had urged the schools to be more vigilant and put their drivers through breathalyser tests to ensure safety of students,' said Joel Davis, joint commission of police (traffic), Hyderabad. 'We will reiterate to schools the need to take more stringent measures to curb this dangerous practice. But if we get more cases of violations, we will escalate the matter to the education dept and ask them to revoke the NOCs of schools that allow such drivers to stay employed,' he added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Hyderabad: Welfare board void spurs pet shop violations & trafficking; activists flag underage puppy sales, poor conditions
By: HYDERABAD: The continued absence of the Telangana State Animal Welfare Board, which has been defunct since 2022, has resulted in a lack of regulation of pet shops and illegal animal trafficking, according to animal rights activists and NGOs in the city. The board was established in 2019 with a three-year mandate, lasting until 2022. However, since the contract expired, it has not been renewed. "The board's certificate served as an indicator of whether a pet shop was complying with the rules or not. Nearly 60 to 70% of the pet shops I visited in the city lack proof of registration and blatantly flout the regulations. For instance, they sell puppies that are under 30 days old, which is illegal," said Mishi Aggarwal, who works for the NGO Humane World for Animals. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Activists also allege that the absence of the board has effectively given illegal breeding centres a free pass, something they claim was already prevalent in the city even when the welfare board was active. "We reported numerous cases of locations in the city where animals are sold in small cages and in dire conditions, but nothing was done. Every Sunday at the Erragada market, you'll find over 150 animals kept in such conditions for sale," she added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini Undo Shreya Paropkar, an animal rights lawyer practising in the Supreme Court, said: "No attention is given to the health condition of these animals during breeding. Labradors and Retrievers suffer from hip dysplasia, Great Danes have heart issues, and small breeds experience spinal problems, so breeding requires great care. There are regulations for this, but a functioning state welfare board is needed to enforce them. " Activists say they made every effort to change the status quo through multiple RTIs and even a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Telangana high court in 2023. "Our attempts to persuade the govt to re-establish the board have so far been in vain. Alongside its reinstatement, we are also calling for stricter enforcement of regulations," said Mishi. The welfare board is the primary authority responsible for overseeing animal welfare and safety, and for ensuring the implementation of the prevention of cruelty to animals act. According to a 2014 Supreme Court ruling, every state is required to have an animal welfare board. The director of the Telangana state animal welfare board was unavailable for comment this past week .
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
No more murky water: Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad goes hi-tech to save animals
Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad is revamping its animal enclosures by replacing water moats with dry moats and glass panels to combat health issues caused by polluted water from Mir Alam tank By: HYDERABAD: In a major revamp aimed at safeguarding animal health, Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) will replace its traditional water moats with mud-filled dry moats and glass viewing panels. The revamp will begin with the tiger enclosure in the next couple of months. The reason? To eliminate the long-standing threat posed by polluted water from the adjacent Mir Alam tank. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad 'Water from the tank has previously caused health issues for animals and administrative challenges for us. By removing it altogether, we no longer have to worry,' said NZP director Sunil S Hiremath. The contaminated water, which flows through the zoo via underground channels, has been linked to several animal deaths. Between 2018 and 2019, 58 animals reportedly died due to liver cirrhosis believed tobe caused by polluted water. Another study in 2022 by BITS Pilani (Hyderabad campus) found dissolved oxygen levels in the tank at just 3.4 mg/l — far below the UNEP-recommended 10 mg/l. 'Residential and industrial waste from nearby areas is constantly dumped into the lake. Encroachments are increasing and the lake's area has shrunk from 650 to under 300 acres. Despite big-ticket govt announcements, no real clean-up has happened,' said Ishtiyaq Sharif, co-convener of Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL). Veterinary officials have warned of long-term damage to animals' kidneys due to exposure to water contaminated with heavy metals and bacteria. 'We are planning to install a sewage treatment plant near the tank soon,' said MA Hakim, deputy director, veterinary wing. Immersive experience The redesign will also help reduce zoo maintenance costs, which currently run over Rs 1 crore per enclosure annually due to high water use. Zoo officials said the new layout will not only be cost-effective but also enhance the visitor experience. 'The dry moats will give animals more space and visitors a closer, immersive view,' said Deepak Tarun, an educator at the zoo. How's zoo dealing with contamination? To tackle water contamination, Nehru Zoo now relies on borewells and regular water testing. Drinking water is supplied by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, while 32 borewells, each 3.5 inches wide, meet trench and enclosure needs. These deep borewells, in use for ?ve years, replaced earlier dependence on tank water. 'We send water samples to Veterinary Biological Research Institute every time and ?ll trenches only after getting clearance,' said zoo director Sunil S Hiremath. Desilting is done monthly, and biannual advisory meetings are held to monitor pollution. 'Despite precautions, seepage or tank over?ow during monsoons can lead to contamination,' said zoo biologist Laxmi Narayana, warning that animal exposure risks persist, especially during rains.
