Despite awareness campaigns and other initiatives, more Mumbaikars were booked for drunk driving
Mumbai : Despite a series of awareness campaigns and drives initiated by the traffic police to combat drunk driving, it seems Mumbaikars have turned a deaf ear to it all.
While Mumbaikars were busy welcoming 2016, the traffic cops ensured that not a single drunk driver drove on the city roads. They booked as far as 705 motorists who were driving under the influence of alcohol on 31st night.
Official statistics show that there has been a rise in drunk driving cases on this New Year’s eve as on 31st December 2014, only 523 drunk drivers were nabbed by city’s traffic cops while this year the number has risen to 705 in Mumbai.
As per one of the officers in the Traffic department, the exact amount of fine recovered from drunk drivers is not yet calculated as the final amount may be determined only after the court procedure. However, according to the officer, every indiviual who is caught for drunk driving is charged a minimum fine of 2,000 as a depository amount and the final fine is charged by the magistrate. Going by this calculation, it can be estimated that a total amount of 14.10 lakh has been recovered from the drunk drivers on New Year’s eve.
It should be noted that around 2,500 traffic cops were deployed across the city to ensure Mumbaikars follow road rules. Also around 90 breath-analysers were used to examine drunkards. “There has been no incident of any fatal accident”, confirmed VN Jadhav, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). “Mumbaikars have been very supportive and everyone co-operated which led us carry our safety operations smoothly”, he added.
Four Nigerians held for drugs possession.
The Anti Narcotics Cell along with Azad Police nabbed four Nigerian nationals for allegedly possessing cocaine, on New Year’s eve.
According to officials, all four accused were caught with around 39 gms of cocaine which is valued approximately at 2.9 lakh in the international market. However, all four are booked under various sections of the NDPS (The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act).
Behind the Bars.
On New Year’s eve, around three dance bars were raided by the Social Service Branch of Mumbai Police after which nearly 26 girls were arrested along with around 50 customers.
The first raid was carried out at Charni Road-based Blue Diamond Bar from where 08 girls, 20 customers were nabbed. From the Mahim located Green Arths Bar around 10 girls and 10 customers were arrested. The last bar raided was Summan Park bar in Borivali east wherein 08 girls and nearly 20 customers were booked. From all the 03 raids a total of 31 Stewards were also taken in custody. All are booked under the Section 294 (Obscene acts in public place) of IPC.
Thane on a high.
Mumbai’s neighbouring district Thane left the city behind in terms of drunk drivers. As per the official data of Thane Traffic police, around 780 drunk driving cases were filed on the New Year’s eve Which is again more than what it recorded in 2014. Last year, Thane traffic cops had booked around 620 drunk drivers.
According to DCP (Traffic), Rashmi Karandikar, around 500 of Thane traffic cops were on duty ensuring the festive mood does not get ruined by any unpleasant circumstance. Also 24 breath-analysers were used to examine drunkers.
Sober city – Navi Mumbai.
The planned city Navi Mumbai can be called as ‘Sober’ city as this New Year’s eve it recorded the least number of drunk driving cases that stands just to 396. There is however a slight increase in the number of drunk drivers since last year when around 327 people were booked for drunk driving.
