Vehicle collapse may cost more

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011




The Delhi traffic police are mulling a proposition to increase penalty for breakdown of goods vehicles that has become a regular sight on streets. The penalty may go up to Rs10,000. They believe that a steep hike in penalty for breakdowns will force heavy commercial vehicles to refrain from overloading and driving them in unfit condition.

This, in turn, will help ease traffic jams on busy city roads.

Delhi traffic police are now drafting a proposal, which will be presented to lieutenant governor (L-G) Tejinder Khanna on Thursday, said a senior traffic  police officer.

He said: "We would request the L-G to bring in legislation or amend the  state motor vehicle rule on this soon. We want the penalty to go up to Rs10,000."

At present, traffic police impose penalty of R100 per hour on a vehicle that breaks down on the road.

According to Delhi traffic police sources, a total of 177 heavy commercial vehicles broke down on several busy Delhi roads between February 7 and 13, causing severe traffic congestion.

Of these, 78 breakdowns took place at the southern range that includes NH8, NH 2, Ring Road and Outer ring Road. Delhi police commissioner BK Gupta told HT: "We need a deterrent to control any kind of traffic norm violations. Huge penalty is the only answer to the traffic problems and congestion."

Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic), said: "Delhi cannot afford major breakdown of vehicles on busy city roads. About a fortnight ago, breakdown of a heavy commercial vehicle on NH8 caused traffic jam for at least six hours."

Joy Upadhyay, a resident of Ghaziabad said: "A few days ago I had to miss my flight due to breakdown of a vehicle on Ashram flyover. On my way to  Indira Gandhi Airport in the early morning, I was caught in a massive traffic jam due to breakdown of a vehicle. By the time I could reach the airport, the flight had taken off."

Traffic jams due to dislocation of heavy vehicles, especially goods carrying trucks have become a daily affair here. On Tuesday morning, traffic movement got affected badly for over two hours from Andheria More towards Gurgaon due to breakdown of a truck near Mandi Cut.

Original news source http://www.hindustantimes.com/Vehicle-collapse-may-cost-more/Article1-662856.aspx