Nagpur: Expressing concern over citizens violating traffic rules with impunity, Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the traffic police to recover additional fine from violators over and above mentioned in rules and utilize that amount for maintenance of CCTV cameras and towards remuneration of traffic constables.
The directives came while hearing a suo motu PIL (No. 5/2016) where it had taken cognizance of a fatal accident involving a 15 years old rider hitting a middle aged lady who died after receiving serious head injuries.
Earlier, amicus curiae Shreerang Bhandarkar revealed that the traffic police provide concession to repeat violators in city. In first violation, the motorists pay Rs2,500 fine and in second Rs3,000, but in the third the amount comes down to Rs2,000.
Previously, traffic department stated that 27,783 cases of drunk driving were recorded while 52 were booked as repeat offenders. Of these, licences of 3,874 offenders would be suspended.
During hearing on other issues related to cattle on road, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) informed they had tagged 786 bovines found on road. The HC then directed dairy development officer to file an affidavit on steps taken to end the menace of cattle on roads which had killed many citizens. Even the corporators and NMC zonal officers were told to extend help to the officer.
Last year on August 17, HC had asked NMC to submit names of people whose cattle are often found on roads posing risk to motorists and lead to traffic congestion. A year later on August 29, HC directed respondents, including regional dairy development officer, to conduct tagging of such animals in six months. They were also directed to capture unregistered cattle and keep them in custody.
In the last hearing, the judges flayed dairy officer for failure to assist the government pleader and also the court. They summoned the officer, who then assured HC the entire process of tagging cattle would be completed in six months.
In order to curb the stray animal menace, NMC has proposed 44.06 acres of land for an animal shelter in Wathoda as part of Nandgram Project. The project report indicates the shelter will be able to house 4,680 animals.
