Thursday, January 1, 2009
Source: www.techtree.com
The department is scouting an e-challaning system which would be able to print challans in English and Hindi, and forward it to courts. Each device will be capable of acting as a payment receiving station for any challan or notice generated by any other device and issue receipt.
The device is being procured to help policemen to get the past record of the driver and vehicle on the basis of vehicle number, name of the driver, parentage and driver s licence details.
It will help the challaning officer to know about the previous offences committed by the driver or pending challans on the vehicles. The device will also enable the policemen to know whether the vehicle involved in a traffic rule violation is stolen, the previous history of vehicle or driver in accidents or whether any notice from traffic police is pending against the vehicle.
It may be recalled that the Delhi police has set up a state-of-the-art control room with multi media to track PCR vans fittled with GPS devices.
Besides this, police is also planning a Web portal for providing traffic related services to the general public and senior officers.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Delhi govt wants to discourage pvt cars, push buses instead
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
With one-tenth of the city's space occupied by private vehicles crammed up on roads and parking lots, and a pathetic public transport
system, the third-time victorious Congress government in Delhi is planning a series of radical measures to beef up its fleet of buses and, at the same time, punish those using private cars, especially big ones, through a dose of high taxes.
It's learnt that the Delhi government is giving the finishing touches to a cabinet note that aims to scrap all taxes on buses and steeply hike the one-time road tax for cars and also introduce a ``congestion tax'' as a pilot project. The money raised from the increased taxes, it is proposed, will go to fund a better public transport system.
The proposal visualizes a big stick for running expensive cars. Towards that end, it proposes that those buying a car costing more than Rs 15 lakh would have to pay 20% of the car price as a one-time road tax. In other words, if you buy a Rs 15 lakh car you would have to pay another Rs 3 lakh as road tax. If the car costs Rs 20 lakh, the road tax would be Rs 4 lakh, and so on.
But if you want to own a new small car, the proposed tax regime will favour you. A car priced up to Rs 5 lakh will attract only 5% road tax, a car priced between Rs 5-10 lakh will require 10% road tax and a Rs 10-15 lakh car will require you to deposit 15% of its price with the state government.
At present, a new car owner has to pay 2% of the cost of car as road tax if the vehicle is priced below Rs 5 lakh and 4% on a car costing more than that. This tax rate, officials point out, if amortised over the life of the vehicle, works out roughly to Rs 500 per year as tax. Compared to this, the city bus is charged tax on an annual basis as well as on the basis of passenger seats. In Delhi, this tax comes to around Rs 13,000 per bus paid annually, at the minimum.
Officials argue that this high tax leads to rickety and unkempt buses, which still carry almost 70% of Delhi's commuters. Buses also end up being charged roughly 26 times higher than cars that clog 60% of road space but carry little more than 15% of city commuters every day, they add.
The government also wants to test a congestion tax regime on a pilot basis. In areas where the government determines congestion levels are very high, it could increase the parking rates to Rs 100 per hour for large cars and Rs 50 per hour for small cars.
There are also suggestions to levy a cess or charge on private vehicles using the DND. Though it's not clear if the suggestion will make it to the final cabinet note, the government is mulling a Rs 20 per trip tax on cars coming in from Noida. This could fetch up to Rs 1 crore a day for the public transport fund, further bolstering the government's attempt to turn buses and other public transport systems world class.
To avoid cars being registered outside Delhi at lower rates, the proposal suggests the tax regime be homogenized across the NCR. It's pointed out that Delhi lags behind other states in taxing private vehicles. If this proposal is cleared, the capital will match up to states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka that charge up to 14% road tax on cars.
The money collected from private car owners will be transferred into a Delhi Urban Transport Development Fund, which will help spruce up the ailing bus system in the city and build transport infrastructure.
Some experts have often pointed out that Delhi has reached a stage where fiscal disincentives for new cars cannot be the only solution as the state has more cars already on road than the other three metros put together. Some others say these huge disincentives for private cars are unrealistic before commuters have a viable alternative option in the shape of a working and comfortable public transport system.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
With one-tenth of the city's space occupied by private vehicles crammed up on roads and parking lots, and a pathetic public transport
system, the third-time victorious Congress government in Delhi is planning a series of radical measures to beef up its fleet of buses and, at the same time, punish those using private cars, especially big ones, through a dose of high taxes.
It's learnt that the Delhi government is giving the finishing touches to a cabinet note that aims to scrap all taxes on buses and steeply hike the one-time road tax for cars and also introduce a ``congestion tax'' as a pilot project. The money raised from the increased taxes, it is proposed, will go to fund a better public transport system.
The proposal visualizes a big stick for running expensive cars. Towards that end, it proposes that those buying a car costing more than Rs 15 lakh would have to pay 20% of the car price as a one-time road tax. In other words, if you buy a Rs 15 lakh car you would have to pay another Rs 3 lakh as road tax. If the car costs Rs 20 lakh, the road tax would be Rs 4 lakh, and so on.
But if you want to own a new small car, the proposed tax regime will favour you. A car priced up to Rs 5 lakh will attract only 5% road tax, a car priced between Rs 5-10 lakh will require 10% road tax and a Rs 10-15 lakh car will require you to deposit 15% of its price with the state government.
At present, a new car owner has to pay 2% of the cost of car as road tax if the vehicle is priced below Rs 5 lakh and 4% on a car costing more than that. This tax rate, officials point out, if amortised over the life of the vehicle, works out roughly to Rs 500 per year as tax. Compared to this, the city bus is charged tax on an annual basis as well as on the basis of passenger seats. In Delhi, this tax comes to around Rs 13,000 per bus paid annually, at the minimum.
Officials argue that this high tax leads to rickety and unkempt buses, which still carry almost 70% of Delhi's commuters. Buses also end up being charged roughly 26 times higher than cars that clog 60% of road space but carry little more than 15% of city commuters every day, they add.
The government also wants to test a congestion tax regime on a pilot basis. In areas where the government determines congestion levels are very high, it could increase the parking rates to Rs 100 per hour for large cars and Rs 50 per hour for small cars.
There are also suggestions to levy a cess or charge on private vehicles using the DND. Though it's not clear if the suggestion will make it to the final cabinet note, the government is mulling a Rs 20 per trip tax on cars coming in from Noida. This could fetch up to Rs 1 crore a day for the public transport fund, further bolstering the government's attempt to turn buses and other public transport systems world class.
To avoid cars being registered outside Delhi at lower rates, the proposal suggests the tax regime be homogenized across the NCR. It's pointed out that Delhi lags behind other states in taxing private vehicles. If this proposal is cleared, the capital will match up to states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka that charge up to 14% road tax on cars.
The money collected from private car owners will be transferred into a Delhi Urban Transport Development Fund, which will help spruce up the ailing bus system in the city and build transport infrastructure.
Some experts have often pointed out that Delhi has reached a stage where fiscal disincentives for new cars cannot be the only solution as the state has more cars already on road than the other three metros put together. Some others say these huge disincentives for private cars are unrealistic before commuters have a viable alternative option in the shape of a working and comfortable public transport system.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Delhi Traffic Police cracksdown on drunken drivers
Friday, December 26, 2008
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com
The Delhi Traffic Police has started taking strict action against those who drink and drive. On Christmas eve the number of challans doubled, 176 challans in a single night.
The initiative is to ensure that while people enjoy themselves and make merry, drunken driving should be kept under check so that they do not cause a problem for themselves as well as others.
"These checks will begin from 9 pm and will go on till 2 am and will become more intensive on New Years eve. The check points have been strategically placed around the hotels, farmhouses and other popular party venues," Joint Commisioner of Police, S N Srivastava.
But it's not a challan that drunk drivers have to fear, but the spot jail. This means a magistrate will be present on the spot, at the police check point and the drivers netted will be sent to jail directly.
The Delhi Traffic Police has come down heavily on drunken driving cases but it certainly needs to be followed up and that's where the challenge lies.
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com
The Delhi Traffic Police has started taking strict action against those who drink and drive. On Christmas eve the number of challans doubled, 176 challans in a single night.
The initiative is to ensure that while people enjoy themselves and make merry, drunken driving should be kept under check so that they do not cause a problem for themselves as well as others.
"These checks will begin from 9 pm and will go on till 2 am and will become more intensive on New Years eve. The check points have been strategically placed around the hotels, farmhouses and other popular party venues," Joint Commisioner of Police, S N Srivastava.
But it's not a challan that drunk drivers have to fear, but the spot jail. This means a magistrate will be present on the spot, at the police check point and the drivers netted will be sent to jail directly.
The Delhi Traffic Police has come down heavily on drunken driving cases but it certainly needs to be followed up and that's where the challenge lies.
Friday, December 26, 2008
With no funds, MCD road upgrade plans stalled
Friday, December 26, 2008
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
The MCD’s plan for improving roads, constructing two flyovers and 18 railway under-bridges is lagging behind schedule due to the non-availability of funds. These projects are a part of the Commonwealth Games development plan, in which the MCD had identified sites across the city that needed to be decongested before the Games.
Funds for these projects are to come in from the Delhi Government. The Urban Development Ministry was to provide Rs 723 crore to the MCD within three financial years.
Of that, Rs 300 crore that the MCD was to receive in 2008 has not been given by the Ministry yet.
Chairman of the MCD Standing Committee Vijendra Gupta, along with the MCD Commissioner K S Mehra and other senior officials of the MCD met the Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Finance) of the Delhi Government.
The MCD demanded that the funds for carrying out construction and development work of roads and bridges be given to the MCD at the earliest.
Gupta said that the projects for the Commonwealth Games had been discussed in March this year. “It was decided in the meeting that the MCD should go ahead with the major schemes in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. We had eight schemes amounting to Ra 723.51 crore,” said Gupta.
These schemes include constructing grade separators at Rani Jhansi Road and Pankha Road, widening of the Kishan Ganj railway under-bridge (RUB), construction of another RUB on Deshbandhu Gupta Road across Qutab Road, and improvement of the traffic circulation around the New Delhi Railway Station and widening and strengthening of roads in Okhla Industrial Area Phase I and II.
Gupta said that the MCD has requested the Delhi Government to release funds at the earliest so that the speed of work doesn’t get affected.
“This is not the time to play politics. Commonwealth Games is important for the country. I think the Congress should work in coordination so that our projects are completed before the Games,” added Gupta.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
The MCD’s plan for improving roads, constructing two flyovers and 18 railway under-bridges is lagging behind schedule due to the non-availability of funds. These projects are a part of the Commonwealth Games development plan, in which the MCD had identified sites across the city that needed to be decongested before the Games.
Funds for these projects are to come in from the Delhi Government. The Urban Development Ministry was to provide Rs 723 crore to the MCD within three financial years.
Of that, Rs 300 crore that the MCD was to receive in 2008 has not been given by the Ministry yet.
Chairman of the MCD Standing Committee Vijendra Gupta, along with the MCD Commissioner K S Mehra and other senior officials of the MCD met the Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Finance) of the Delhi Government.
The MCD demanded that the funds for carrying out construction and development work of roads and bridges be given to the MCD at the earliest.
Gupta said that the projects for the Commonwealth Games had been discussed in March this year. “It was decided in the meeting that the MCD should go ahead with the major schemes in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. We had eight schemes amounting to Ra 723.51 crore,” said Gupta.
These schemes include constructing grade separators at Rani Jhansi Road and Pankha Road, widening of the Kishan Ganj railway under-bridge (RUB), construction of another RUB on Deshbandhu Gupta Road across Qutab Road, and improvement of the traffic circulation around the New Delhi Railway Station and widening and strengthening of roads in Okhla Industrial Area Phase I and II.
Gupta said that the MCD has requested the Delhi Government to release funds at the earliest so that the speed of work doesn’t get affected.
“This is not the time to play politics. Commonwealth Games is important for the country. I think the Congress should work in coordination so that our projects are completed before the Games,” added Gupta.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
E-enforcement on the roll soon
Thursday, December 18, 2008
source:http://www.hindustantimes.com
In yet another technology-aided initiative, the Delhi Traffic Police is in the process of acquiring a GPRS-enabled hand-held device for their men on the road to prosecute and challan road traffic violators online, specially the repeat offenders.
This e-enforcement system -- which was called the "mother of all projects" for traffic enforcement by Commissioner of Police Y.S. Dadwal recently -- envisages connecting the hand-held device online to a central database.
The GPRS-enabled device called the PDA -- palmtop digital assistance -- will be handed over to field staff.
As it is connected to the central database, this device will help in accessing the prosecution history of a traffic violator.
The central database will have record of all vehicle and driving licence-related information along with a record of those who are issued notices/challaned.
"Our department has been working on this for a long time," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S.N. Shrivastava said.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander, who has been instrumental in conceptualising the system, said, "With prosecution history at our finger tips, quality will increase. It can bring about a lot of change in people's attitude as they would fear breaking rules."
"Global tender would be issued soon and hopefully, e-enforcement will start by April 2009," Shrivastava added.
source:http://www.hindustantimes.com
In yet another technology-aided initiative, the Delhi Traffic Police is in the process of acquiring a GPRS-enabled hand-held device for their men on the road to prosecute and challan road traffic violators online, specially the repeat offenders.
This e-enforcement system -- which was called the "mother of all projects" for traffic enforcement by Commissioner of Police Y.S. Dadwal recently -- envisages connecting the hand-held device online to a central database.
The GPRS-enabled device called the PDA -- palmtop digital assistance -- will be handed over to field staff.
As it is connected to the central database, this device will help in accessing the prosecution history of a traffic violator.
The central database will have record of all vehicle and driving licence-related information along with a record of those who are issued notices/challaned.
"Our department has been working on this for a long time," Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S.N. Shrivastava said.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander, who has been instrumental in conceptualising the system, said, "With prosecution history at our finger tips, quality will increase. It can bring about a lot of change in people's attitude as they would fear breaking rules."
"Global tender would be issued soon and hopefully, e-enforcement will start by April 2009," Shrivastava added.
MCD to raise registration charges for cars
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning to increase the one-time registration charges it takes on purchase of new cars. A
proposal in this regard has been made by commissioner K S Mehra and is awaiting approval from the standing committee, which is likely to take up the matter only after the code of conduct in place at present is removed. This proposal has been made to generate more revenue to increase parking facilities in the city.
The one-time registration charges levied on commercial vehicles is not likely to increase as yet. However, the one-time registration fees taken by the civic agency for cars or four-wheelers costing up to Rs 4 lakh, which is Rs 2,000, is likely to go up to Rs 6,000. For cars costing more than Rs 4 lakh, it may be increased to Rs 12,000 from the Rs 4,000 charged earlier.
The annual fees collected from commercial vehicles varies from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 MCD collects Rs 2,500 from RTVs, tempos etc and Rs 4,000 from buses and trucks.
Said Mehra: "We want to make a special fund for meeting expenditure on the construction of modern parking systems in market places, city centres, office complexes etc. We need to, therefore, increase charges as the projects have to be economically viable. With more cars on the roads and parking facilities required along the 2,183 commercial stretches notified under the Master Plan 2021 , multi-level parking systems are required which is an expensive option.''
Moreover, the civic agency claims there has been a steep rise in the cost of building material also. Mehra added: "We will look into increasing the one-time registration charges of commercial vehicles in the future.''
Said standing committee chairman: "The committee will look into the matter after the removal of code of conduct.'' The matter will then have to be forwarded to Urban Development Department.
However, the fact remains that while the MCD has managed collecting Rs 250 crore as conversion charges from 2007 to 2008, it has been unable to augment the required parking space in the city. They are likely to collect an additional Rs 90 crore as one-time registration charges from this financial year as given in their budget estimates.
The project of creating 16 multi-level parking sites which was proposed in 2003 is yet to take-off. Work has only been awarded for the parking site at Kamla Nagar, which is still awaiting environmental clearance after a year of the work being awarded. Moreover, tenders are yet to be floated for the 24 parking sites to be created under parks. As per MCD's estimates, the cost of making a ramp-level, multi-level parking for one equivalent parking space is Rs 4 lakh and for automated parking, it is Rs 9 lakh.
Said an official: "There are 53 lakh vehicles registered in the city. As a result of insufficient parking space, people park their cars on the roads. Therefore, we need to create more parking. As per the parking policy filed by MCD before the Supreme Court, we also need to create parking along the 2,183 roads notified as commercial and mixed land use stretches. And, more such areas are likely to be declared in the future.''
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning to increase the one-time registration charges it takes on purchase of new cars. A
proposal in this regard has been made by commissioner K S Mehra and is awaiting approval from the standing committee, which is likely to take up the matter only after the code of conduct in place at present is removed. This proposal has been made to generate more revenue to increase parking facilities in the city.
The one-time registration charges levied on commercial vehicles is not likely to increase as yet. However, the one-time registration fees taken by the civic agency for cars or four-wheelers costing up to Rs 4 lakh, which is Rs 2,000, is likely to go up to Rs 6,000. For cars costing more than Rs 4 lakh, it may be increased to Rs 12,000 from the Rs 4,000 charged earlier.
The annual fees collected from commercial vehicles varies from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 MCD collects Rs 2,500 from RTVs, tempos etc and Rs 4,000 from buses and trucks.
Said Mehra: "We want to make a special fund for meeting expenditure on the construction of modern parking systems in market places, city centres, office complexes etc. We need to, therefore, increase charges as the projects have to be economically viable. With more cars on the roads and parking facilities required along the 2,183 commercial stretches notified under the Master Plan 2021 , multi-level parking systems are required which is an expensive option.''
Moreover, the civic agency claims there has been a steep rise in the cost of building material also. Mehra added: "We will look into increasing the one-time registration charges of commercial vehicles in the future.''
Said standing committee chairman: "The committee will look into the matter after the removal of code of conduct.'' The matter will then have to be forwarded to Urban Development Department.
However, the fact remains that while the MCD has managed collecting Rs 250 crore as conversion charges from 2007 to 2008, it has been unable to augment the required parking space in the city. They are likely to collect an additional Rs 90 crore as one-time registration charges from this financial year as given in their budget estimates.
The project of creating 16 multi-level parking sites which was proposed in 2003 is yet to take-off. Work has only been awarded for the parking site at Kamla Nagar, which is still awaiting environmental clearance after a year of the work being awarded. Moreover, tenders are yet to be floated for the 24 parking sites to be created under parks. As per MCD's estimates, the cost of making a ramp-level, multi-level parking for one equivalent parking space is Rs 4 lakh and for automated parking, it is Rs 9 lakh.
Said an official: "There are 53 lakh vehicles registered in the city. As a result of insufficient parking space, people park their cars on the roads. Therefore, we need to create more parking. As per the parking policy filed by MCD before the Supreme Court, we also need to create parking along the 2,183 roads notified as commercial and mixed land use stretches. And, more such areas are likely to be declared in the future.''
This New Year day, horn's not OK in Delhi
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Horn please? No way. If you think needless and ceaseless honking is ingrained in the DNA of every Delhiite who sits behind the wheel,
you could be in for a pleasant surprise this New Year day. January 1 will be observed by the traffic police as No Honking Day in the capital.
And, by the sound of it, this is not going to be just a token gesture of good intent. As part of the drive, taxi, auto and Blueline drivers will be educated at length on the ills of honking without purpose. Road shows will be held at important intersections, where the problem is acute.
Police officials say honking is one of the major contributors towards road rage in the capital. The decibel levels on Delhi roads are way higher than the safe limit of about 60 dbs, posing a major threat to public health and well-being.
‘‘We are going to talk to each driver and tell them about the health problems caused by horns and the resultant noise pollution. When the driver
is convinced, a sticker about the no-honking campaign will be pasted on his vehicle,’’ said Ravi Kalra, founder president of The Earth Savers Foundation, the NGO behind the initiative.
Former Joint CP (traffic) Maxwell Pereira, who was instrumental in banning honking at intersections in the city in 2002, has also lent support to the cause.
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Horn please? No way. If you think needless and ceaseless honking is ingrained in the DNA of every Delhiite who sits behind the wheel,
you could be in for a pleasant surprise this New Year day. January 1 will be observed by the traffic police as No Honking Day in the capital.
And, by the sound of it, this is not going to be just a token gesture of good intent. As part of the drive, taxi, auto and Blueline drivers will be educated at length on the ills of honking without purpose. Road shows will be held at important intersections, where the problem is acute.
Police officials say honking is one of the major contributors towards road rage in the capital. The decibel levels on Delhi roads are way higher than the safe limit of about 60 dbs, posing a major threat to public health and well-being.
‘‘We are going to talk to each driver and tell them about the health problems caused by horns and the resultant noise pollution. When the driver
is convinced, a sticker about the no-honking campaign will be pasted on his vehicle,’’ said Ravi Kalra, founder president of The Earth Savers Foundation, the NGO behind the initiative.
Former Joint CP (traffic) Maxwell Pereira, who was instrumental in banning honking at intersections in the city in 2002, has also lent support to the cause.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Police ban gathering of people, cars near Delhi airport
Friday, December 05, 2008
source: http://www.indiaprwire.com
The Delhi Police Friday issued guidelines prohibiting the assembly of people or parking of vehicles along a 500-metre stretch on the highway near the international airport in New Delhi.
The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Delhi) H.G.S. Dhaliwal against the backdrop of a high alert at the Indira Gandhi International Airport early Friday morning after intelligence agencies warned of possible terror strikes.
'With people assembling near the airport to have a glance of the aircraft, there are possibilities of miscreants mingling with the general public in order to attack the landing aircraft, which is at a closer range,' the order said.
The order said the gathering of people and vendors or parking of vehicles are prohibited along a stretch of 250 meters on both sides of National Highway 8 near the airport.
However, the order would not apply to religious rallies and processions which have the requisite permission of the police.
'Religious rallies and processions can be held with the prior permission in writing of the DCP (South),' a senior police official said.
source: http://www.indiaprwire.com
The Delhi Police Friday issued guidelines prohibiting the assembly of people or parking of vehicles along a 500-metre stretch on the highway near the international airport in New Delhi.
The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Delhi) H.G.S. Dhaliwal against the backdrop of a high alert at the Indira Gandhi International Airport early Friday morning after intelligence agencies warned of possible terror strikes.
'With people assembling near the airport to have a glance of the aircraft, there are possibilities of miscreants mingling with the general public in order to attack the landing aircraft, which is at a closer range,' the order said.
The order said the gathering of people and vendors or parking of vehicles are prohibited along a stretch of 250 meters on both sides of National Highway 8 near the airport.
However, the order would not apply to religious rallies and processions which have the requisite permission of the police.
'Religious rallies and processions can be held with the prior permission in writing of the DCP (South),' a senior police official said.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Traffic violators to get booklets on road safety
Friday, November 21, 2008
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
After stepping up prosecution and deploying manpower even at night to catch violators of traffic rules, the cops are now turning to
innovative means in a bid to teach Delhiites how to drive better. Starting Tuesday, motorists getting challaned will be handed a detailed booklet on road safety and laws, which is expected to "educate'' them about the law and make them better drivers.
As part of the exercise, aimed at making Delhi roads safer by instilling more discipline among drivers, traffic policemen deployed all around the city have been handed a book, `A Guide to Road Safety', which is being given out free of cost to every driver prosecuted for a traffic offence along with the challan slip. The booklet, created in-house by Delhi Police, details the rules of driving on the roads, qualities of a good driver, road safety tips, road markings and signs, major traffic offences concerning safety and speed limits.
The different approach adopted by the cops took motorists by surprise. "I was stopped for crossing the stop line on Mathura Road. Just as I started explaining how it was a mistake, the policeman issuing the challan gave me a small book with the slip. He asked me to read it thoroughly so that I become a better driver,'' said Munish Kumar, who was prosecuted near Pragati Maidan.
In a scenario where getting a driving license is an easy task and large section of those who are actually granted the license have little knowledge of the rules that they are actually supposed to adhere to on the road, the booklet could go a long way in educating Delhi's masses.
According to the traffic police, over 95 per cent of the accidents are a result of careless behaviour on roads and can be prevented with better driving. As joint commissioner of police (traffic), SN Shrivastava, puts it: "The idea of prosecution is to penalise people so that they don't repeat the offence. But we were noticing that prosecution is not having this impact. In order to ensure effectiveness, the book is given out too.''
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
After stepping up prosecution and deploying manpower even at night to catch violators of traffic rules, the cops are now turning to
innovative means in a bid to teach Delhiites how to drive better. Starting Tuesday, motorists getting challaned will be handed a detailed booklet on road safety and laws, which is expected to "educate'' them about the law and make them better drivers.
As part of the exercise, aimed at making Delhi roads safer by instilling more discipline among drivers, traffic policemen deployed all around the city have been handed a book, `A Guide to Road Safety', which is being given out free of cost to every driver prosecuted for a traffic offence along with the challan slip. The booklet, created in-house by Delhi Police, details the rules of driving on the roads, qualities of a good driver, road safety tips, road markings and signs, major traffic offences concerning safety and speed limits.
The different approach adopted by the cops took motorists by surprise. "I was stopped for crossing the stop line on Mathura Road. Just as I started explaining how it was a mistake, the policeman issuing the challan gave me a small book with the slip. He asked me to read it thoroughly so that I become a better driver,'' said Munish Kumar, who was prosecuted near Pragati Maidan.
In a scenario where getting a driving license is an easy task and large section of those who are actually granted the license have little knowledge of the rules that they are actually supposed to adhere to on the road, the booklet could go a long way in educating Delhi's masses.
According to the traffic police, over 95 per cent of the accidents are a result of careless behaviour on roads and can be prevented with better driving. As joint commissioner of police (traffic), SN Shrivastava, puts it: "The idea of prosecution is to penalise people so that they don't repeat the offence. But we were noticing that prosecution is not having this impact. In order to ensure effectiveness, the book is given out too.''
Administration pulled up over entry fee charged by parking contractors
Friday, November 21, 2008
source: http://www.expressindia.com
The Punjab and Haryana High Court took the UT Administration to task on Wednesday over the parking fee being charged from commuters for merely entering a parking lot, even if they do not actually keep vehicles there.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Jasbir Singh was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Ajay Jagga. The PIL seeks directions to ensure that parking fee should not be charged on the movement of vehicles on a public road in any market area unless the vehicle is actually parked in the slots adjoining the passage.
“How can you insist on charging a person who has not even parked the car in a parking area? How have you allowed all this to take place in the city?” Thakur asked the counsel appearing for the Administration.
Responding to the query, the law officer submitted that this had been done to reduce heavy traffic in parking areas. “We are spoilt so much that we tend to take our vehicles to the very shop or building we are visiting,” said the law officer.
Refusing to show any conviction in the averments, the Chief Justice observed: “That does not mean you put a ban on commuters from entering into a
parking area.”
The Chief Justice disapproved of the fact that parking contractors posted their employees to put barricades and stop vehicles from entering the parking area until the fee was paid. He asked: “Suppose a person has come to drop someone or is waiting to pick up someone, does that mean you will charge parking fee from him too?”
The court asked the Administration to look into the issue seriously and ensure that those who entered a parking area but did not park vehicles should not be forced to pay any fee. “Putting a barricade and asking people to pay is not done,” the Chief Justice remarked.
Giving instance of illegal parking fee charged by contractors in Delhi, the Chief Justice told the UT counsel that it should ensure that illegal contractors are not allowed to function.
“These contractors have their own techniques. In Delhi, there were unauthorised contractors. Some people just occupy a parking area and keep their hoodlums and start charging money,” said Thakur.
The UT counsel has been directed to seek instructions from the Administration on the issue.
CHB told to pay up for not filing reply
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to pay up Rs 2,500 for not filing reply to a petition despite being given repeated opportunities.
A Division Bench headed by Justice M M Kumar was hearing a petition challenging the Self Financing Housing Scheme for UT employees that was pending in the High Court.
The CHB had been earlier told several times to file its reply to the petition.
A bunch of petitions were filed by various UT employees, accusing the Administration of making a tailor-made scheme for higher rank officers and depriving junior officers.
During the last hearing two weeks ago, the Division Bench had given a last opportunity to the Administration to file a written reply.
source: http://www.expressindia.com
The Punjab and Haryana High Court took the UT Administration to task on Wednesday over the parking fee being charged from commuters for merely entering a parking lot, even if they do not actually keep vehicles there.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Jasbir Singh was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Ajay Jagga. The PIL seeks directions to ensure that parking fee should not be charged on the movement of vehicles on a public road in any market area unless the vehicle is actually parked in the slots adjoining the passage.
“How can you insist on charging a person who has not even parked the car in a parking area? How have you allowed all this to take place in the city?” Thakur asked the counsel appearing for the Administration.
Responding to the query, the law officer submitted that this had been done to reduce heavy traffic in parking areas. “We are spoilt so much that we tend to take our vehicles to the very shop or building we are visiting,” said the law officer.
Refusing to show any conviction in the averments, the Chief Justice observed: “That does not mean you put a ban on commuters from entering into a
parking area.”
The Chief Justice disapproved of the fact that parking contractors posted their employees to put barricades and stop vehicles from entering the parking area until the fee was paid. He asked: “Suppose a person has come to drop someone or is waiting to pick up someone, does that mean you will charge parking fee from him too?”
The court asked the Administration to look into the issue seriously and ensure that those who entered a parking area but did not park vehicles should not be forced to pay any fee. “Putting a barricade and asking people to pay is not done,” the Chief Justice remarked.
Giving instance of illegal parking fee charged by contractors in Delhi, the Chief Justice told the UT counsel that it should ensure that illegal contractors are not allowed to function.
“These contractors have their own techniques. In Delhi, there were unauthorised contractors. Some people just occupy a parking area and keep their hoodlums and start charging money,” said Thakur.
The UT counsel has been directed to seek instructions from the Administration on the issue.
CHB told to pay up for not filing reply
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to pay up Rs 2,500 for not filing reply to a petition despite being given repeated opportunities.
A Division Bench headed by Justice M M Kumar was hearing a petition challenging the Self Financing Housing Scheme for UT employees that was pending in the High Court.
The CHB had been earlier told several times to file its reply to the petition.
A bunch of petitions were filed by various UT employees, accusing the Administration of making a tailor-made scheme for higher rank officers and depriving junior officers.
During the last hearing two weeks ago, the Division Bench had given a last opportunity to the Administration to file a written reply.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Parking lease by MCD on pvt land stayed
Saturday, November 15, 2008
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The Delhi High Court has stayed an award of a parking contract to a private contractor by MCD after the owner of the land challenged it
before HC.
A division bench of HC stayed the license awarded by MCD in Udyog Nagar Industrial Area. The land belongs to a co-operative society which alleged that this action of MCD was illegal as the road and adjoining streets were not ''public streets'' but private ones.
Seeking a stay through lawyer Rakesh Makhija, "Manufacturers Co-operative Ind Estate Ltd'' argued before HC that they had only roped in MCD for maintenance of roads inside their industrial complex but the civic agency went ahead and leased out a parking award to a private player who has nothing to do with the society.
Enumerating the dates, the society informed the court that MCD was brought into the picture in 1975 for simple maintenance of roads for which the members paid a fixed sum to the agency. However, in October this year, members were surprised to see a private contractor who turned up and demanded money from car owners. He waived a contract granted by MCD to bolster his claims and said it was a public street with MCD as its owner and therefore, people have to cough up parking fee. the contractor also informed members that he was shelling out a monthly amount to MCD in return for this license.
The members rushed to court seeking relief, saying they had been reduced to paying money for parking vehicles on their own land. They also alleged that MCD didn't even bother to inform the society members that it had brought in a private contractor to oversee parking.
MCD on its part, claimed that the roads belonged to it by virtue of society transferring maintenance to it. The civic agency defended its decision, arguing the discretion remained with MCD on what to do with this road and adjoining area which was being maintained by it.
When the case was heard first by a single judge, he refused to stay the contract and jointly sought a response from the civic agency, prompting the petitioners to again move HC before a division bench. They argued that without an interim stay, they were being forced to pay money for parking inside the area.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The Delhi High Court has stayed an award of a parking contract to a private contractor by MCD after the owner of the land challenged it
before HC.
A division bench of HC stayed the license awarded by MCD in Udyog Nagar Industrial Area. The land belongs to a co-operative society which alleged that this action of MCD was illegal as the road and adjoining streets were not ''public streets'' but private ones.
Seeking a stay through lawyer Rakesh Makhija, "Manufacturers Co-operative Ind Estate Ltd'' argued before HC that they had only roped in MCD for maintenance of roads inside their industrial complex but the civic agency went ahead and leased out a parking award to a private player who has nothing to do with the society.
Enumerating the dates, the society informed the court that MCD was brought into the picture in 1975 for simple maintenance of roads for which the members paid a fixed sum to the agency. However, in October this year, members were surprised to see a private contractor who turned up and demanded money from car owners. He waived a contract granted by MCD to bolster his claims and said it was a public street with MCD as its owner and therefore, people have to cough up parking fee. the contractor also informed members that he was shelling out a monthly amount to MCD in return for this license.
The members rushed to court seeking relief, saying they had been reduced to paying money for parking vehicles on their own land. They also alleged that MCD didn't even bother to inform the society members that it had brought in a private contractor to oversee parking.
MCD on its part, claimed that the roads belonged to it by virtue of society transferring maintenance to it. The civic agency defended its decision, arguing the discretion remained with MCD on what to do with this road and adjoining area which was being maintained by it.
When the case was heard first by a single judge, he refused to stay the contract and jointly sought a response from the civic agency, prompting the petitioners to again move HC before a division bench. They argued that without an interim stay, they were being forced to pay money for parking inside the area.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
NDMC’s multi-lot parking project set to take off
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Source: http://www.hindu.com
The New Delhi Municipal Council’s much written about project on development of a multi-lot parking at Sarojini Nagar and Baba Kharak Singh Marg could take off soon with the civic body submitting the modified drawings of the project to the Delhi Urban Arts Commission and fire service for approval recently.
The plan has already been cleared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The project developed on build-operate-transfer basis as a public private partnership project had been inaugurated by the civic body and the concessionaire DLF in December 2007.
An NDMC official said: “The initial project designs submitted to us by DLF at the time of bidding have been evaluated and we have submitted the final drawings of the multi-lot parking after modifying them as per norms of DUAC and building bye-laws. Once the pending approvals from DUAC and fire service are cleared, excavation could begin by the first week of November.”
According to DLF spokesperson Rajeev Talwar, after the approval from the fire service and DUAC, a “consent to establish” also has to be obtained from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee before starting work on the site.
Apart from Sarojini Nagar and Baba Kharak Singh Marg, the NDMC will also be building a multi-lot parking at Kasturba Gandhi Marg in partnership with concessionaire DS Constructions.
Necessary approvals are pending in this project as well. The multi-lot parking facility would enable vehicle owners to park their vehicles through an automated system into a vacant lot of the multi-floored building to be built at the three identified locations in the NDMC area.
Source: http://www.hindu.com
The New Delhi Municipal Council’s much written about project on development of a multi-lot parking at Sarojini Nagar and Baba Kharak Singh Marg could take off soon with the civic body submitting the modified drawings of the project to the Delhi Urban Arts Commission and fire service for approval recently.
The plan has already been cleared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The project developed on build-operate-transfer basis as a public private partnership project had been inaugurated by the civic body and the concessionaire DLF in December 2007.
An NDMC official said: “The initial project designs submitted to us by DLF at the time of bidding have been evaluated and we have submitted the final drawings of the multi-lot parking after modifying them as per norms of DUAC and building bye-laws. Once the pending approvals from DUAC and fire service are cleared, excavation could begin by the first week of November.”
According to DLF spokesperson Rajeev Talwar, after the approval from the fire service and DUAC, a “consent to establish” also has to be obtained from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee before starting work on the site.
Apart from Sarojini Nagar and Baba Kharak Singh Marg, the NDMC will also be building a multi-lot parking at Kasturba Gandhi Marg in partnership with concessionaire DS Constructions.
Necessary approvals are pending in this project as well. The multi-lot parking facility would enable vehicle owners to park their vehicles through an automated system into a vacant lot of the multi-floored building to be built at the three identified locations in the NDMC area.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Speed-check cameras hit road block as police, govt fight over tender
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the police’s plan to put up hi-tech cameras in 18 of the Capital’s intersections has been kept on a tight leash by red tape, with the Government now asking questions about the tendering process.
Though tenders were issued eight months ago, the government asked the traffic police to issue fresh tenders as it apprehended litigation from the firm which was initially rejected. Since then this project — to install cameras that would have kept speeding in check — has been in limbo.
Global tenders were first floated on October 5, 2007. Four firms responded — Turbo Consultancy Services, Almighty Techserv, Bharat Electronics Limited and Adtech Systems. A technical inspection of their equipment was carried out by the police on January 14. The inspecting panel included police officials, professor at the Indian Institute of Technology M Jagadesh Kumar, the dean of School of Planning and Architecture Professor A K Sharma, and scientist S Velmurgan from the Central Road Research Institute.
Chennai-based Adtech Systems failed to showcase the equipment and was rejected. Turbo Consultancy Service was also overlooked for the poor quality of their supply.
The Delhi Police’s purchase committee then opened the financial bid on February 4 this year, after the technical committee nodded at the other two firms — Bharat Electronics and Turbo. Bharat Electronics Limited bid almost 22 per cent less and was given the job on February 14.
However, the government raised its first objection before the procurement process could begin on February 20. Turbo Consultancy Services had objected to the manner in which the tendering was concluded, it said. The Delhi Police asked the government the exact nature of the objection but was told to furnish a certificate which would say: “The successful bidders has met with the technical specification as mentioned in the tender and due process of tendering has been observed in the instant case.”
The police issued the certificate on March 18, but the government decided to go for re-tendering on March 31.
Since April, the file has not moved with the police, only words have been exchanged. Additional Commissioner (General Administration) R S Krishnia wrote to the government in May saying: “We can not go for re-tendering merely on the apprehension of litigation.” Police sources said each time a tender is issued, the police spends Rs 80,000 on advertisement alone.
Meanwhile, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has also knocked on the doors of Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna. The company now plans to drag the Government to court, more so because BEL has taken delivery of the cameras from a German firm, sources said.
Till the matter is resolved, Joint Commissioner (traffic) S N Shrivastava said the police will concentrate on the intelligent traffic system — another savvy network of synchronised traffic lights, cameras etc.
Shoppers stop city
Traffic came down to a crawl on several city roads on Diwali-eve. The Ring Road remained choked between Naraina T-point and Brar Square. In West Delhi, traffic crawled between Meera Bagh and Paschim Vihar; in Pitampura, jams stretched from three to four hours. Even New Delhi area, normally free of traffic jams, was clogged as jams were reported from Aurangzeb Road.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the police’s plan to put up hi-tech cameras in 18 of the Capital’s intersections has been kept on a tight leash by red tape, with the Government now asking questions about the tendering process.
Though tenders were issued eight months ago, the government asked the traffic police to issue fresh tenders as it apprehended litigation from the firm which was initially rejected. Since then this project — to install cameras that would have kept speeding in check — has been in limbo.
Global tenders were first floated on October 5, 2007. Four firms responded — Turbo Consultancy Services, Almighty Techserv, Bharat Electronics Limited and Adtech Systems. A technical inspection of their equipment was carried out by the police on January 14. The inspecting panel included police officials, professor at the Indian Institute of Technology M Jagadesh Kumar, the dean of School of Planning and Architecture Professor A K Sharma, and scientist S Velmurgan from the Central Road Research Institute.
Chennai-based Adtech Systems failed to showcase the equipment and was rejected. Turbo Consultancy Service was also overlooked for the poor quality of their supply.
The Delhi Police’s purchase committee then opened the financial bid on February 4 this year, after the technical committee nodded at the other two firms — Bharat Electronics and Turbo. Bharat Electronics Limited bid almost 22 per cent less and was given the job on February 14.
However, the government raised its first objection before the procurement process could begin on February 20. Turbo Consultancy Services had objected to the manner in which the tendering was concluded, it said. The Delhi Police asked the government the exact nature of the objection but was told to furnish a certificate which would say: “The successful bidders has met with the technical specification as mentioned in the tender and due process of tendering has been observed in the instant case.”
The police issued the certificate on March 18, but the government decided to go for re-tendering on March 31.
Since April, the file has not moved with the police, only words have been exchanged. Additional Commissioner (General Administration) R S Krishnia wrote to the government in May saying: “We can not go for re-tendering merely on the apprehension of litigation.” Police sources said each time a tender is issued, the police spends Rs 80,000 on advertisement alone.
Meanwhile, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has also knocked on the doors of Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna. The company now plans to drag the Government to court, more so because BEL has taken delivery of the cameras from a German firm, sources said.
Till the matter is resolved, Joint Commissioner (traffic) S N Shrivastava said the police will concentrate on the intelligent traffic system — another savvy network of synchronised traffic lights, cameras etc.
Shoppers stop city
Traffic came down to a crawl on several city roads on Diwali-eve. The Ring Road remained choked between Naraina T-point and Brar Square. In West Delhi, traffic crawled between Meera Bagh and Paschim Vihar; in Pitampura, jams stretched from three to four hours. Even New Delhi area, normally free of traffic jams, was clogged as jams were reported from Aurangzeb Road.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
No plan to ban small cars to ease traffic woes
Friday, October 24, 2008
http://www.indianexpress.com
Government on Thursday ruled out banning small cars to ease traffic problem in big cities and said it was instead focussing on augmenting the public transport system.
"I don't think I can do that," Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy responded to Manohar Joshi's (Shiv Sena) query during Question Hour if the Government will consider banning small cars to ease traffic congestions in cities like Mumbai.
"We are (instead) trying to lay emphasis on public transport system," Reddy said adding Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) had already been sanctioned in 10 cities besides Metro Rail projects.
To encourage greater use of public transport and non-motorised mode of transport, BRTS projects in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Pune/Pimpri-Chinchwad, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and Jaipur have been approved.
Central Government was providing assistance for Delhi Metro Rail project and same model assistance was being provided or proposed to be provided for Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai Metro.
Assistance for Hyderabad and Mumbai Metro is being provided or proposed to be provided as Viability Gap Funding, he said.
Urban transport, he said, was primarily a state subject but the Central Government was extending assistance to states under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
Nine pilgrim towns with less than one million population have been included in the list of mission cities where the Centre was funding projects to ease urban traffic congestion, he said.
http://www.indianexpress.com
Government on Thursday ruled out banning small cars to ease traffic problem in big cities and said it was instead focussing on augmenting the public transport system.
"I don't think I can do that," Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy responded to Manohar Joshi's (Shiv Sena) query during Question Hour if the Government will consider banning small cars to ease traffic congestions in cities like Mumbai.
"We are (instead) trying to lay emphasis on public transport system," Reddy said adding Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) had already been sanctioned in 10 cities besides Metro Rail projects.
To encourage greater use of public transport and non-motorised mode of transport, BRTS projects in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Pune/Pimpri-Chinchwad, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and Jaipur have been approved.
Central Government was providing assistance for Delhi Metro Rail project and same model assistance was being provided or proposed to be provided for Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai Metro.
Assistance for Hyderabad and Mumbai Metro is being provided or proposed to be provided as Viability Gap Funding, he said.
Urban transport, he said, was primarily a state subject but the Central Government was extending assistance to states under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
Nine pilgrim towns with less than one million population have been included in the list of mission cities where the Centre was funding projects to ease urban traffic congestion, he said.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
News Update - Thursday, October 16, 2008
Speed guns will watch you at night
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
In an attempt to make the city's roads safe at night, the Delhi traffic police is procuring upgraded speed guns that can detect the speed of a vehicle even after dark and also take photographs as evidence. Unlike the present radar guns being used by the cops, the new ones are fitted with cameras with a strong flash that is effective even on very dark stretches.
The new devices, which will hit the roads in a couple of months. The guns have a wide vision — they can automatically detect violators within a range of five lanes. There is very little human interference. The speed guns being used now by the traffic police can detect a vehicle's speed only when these are pointed towards it.
In the new system, the data about the vehicles can be transmitted to a laptop at a backup station within a one-km radius through a wireless system.
The traffic police have already initiated the procurement process. "We are going to get 15 speed guns to start with which should be in use by the end of this financial year. More such guns will be procured in phases after that so that our existing speed guns can be upgraded for better enforcement," said S N Shrivastava, joint commissioner of police (traffic). Each unit will cost Rs 15-20 lakh.
At present, the traffic police has 11 mounted speed guns which are fixed onto interceptors or poles. All of these are attached to cameras which click photographs of the vehicles breaking rules. But none of the cameras is flash-enabled. In addition, there are another 100 portable speed guns which detect the speed of only the vehicle they are pointed at. These are not fitted with cameras.
Since the new system is completely automated and the records of all the vehicles are created instantly and sent to a backup device, this is expected to check corruption. There won’t be scope for ‘negotiations’. Though these speed guns may have come as a boon for enforcement agencies, elsewhere a debate has been raging on the accuracy of the devices. In developed countries, it has been observed that speed guns do not always give accurate results though the traffic police swear by their accuracy.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
In an attempt to make the city's roads safe at night, the Delhi traffic police is procuring upgraded speed guns that can detect the speed of a vehicle even after dark and also take photographs as evidence. Unlike the present radar guns being used by the cops, the new ones are fitted with cameras with a strong flash that is effective even on very dark stretches.
The new devices, which will hit the roads in a couple of months. The guns have a wide vision — they can automatically detect violators within a range of five lanes. There is very little human interference. The speed guns being used now by the traffic police can detect a vehicle's speed only when these are pointed towards it.
In the new system, the data about the vehicles can be transmitted to a laptop at a backup station within a one-km radius through a wireless system.
The traffic police have already initiated the procurement process. "We are going to get 15 speed guns to start with which should be in use by the end of this financial year. More such guns will be procured in phases after that so that our existing speed guns can be upgraded for better enforcement," said S N Shrivastava, joint commissioner of police (traffic). Each unit will cost Rs 15-20 lakh.
At present, the traffic police has 11 mounted speed guns which are fixed onto interceptors or poles. All of these are attached to cameras which click photographs of the vehicles breaking rules. But none of the cameras is flash-enabled. In addition, there are another 100 portable speed guns which detect the speed of only the vehicle they are pointed at. These are not fitted with cameras.
Since the new system is completely automated and the records of all the vehicles are created instantly and sent to a backup device, this is expected to check corruption. There won’t be scope for ‘negotiations’. Though these speed guns may have come as a boon for enforcement agencies, elsewhere a debate has been raging on the accuracy of the devices. In developed countries, it has been observed that speed guns do not always give accurate results though the traffic police swear by their accuracy.
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