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.
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