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.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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.
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