ROURKELA: With provisions for stringent fines under amended MV Act coming into force, police and Transport department officials have collected Rs 1.39 lakh penalty from violators on the first day on Sunday. The enforcement, however, was suspended on Monday on account of Ganesh Puja festivities.
On Sunday, during checking at Bisra Square, the squads issued 30 challans leading to a collection of Rs 27,000 in cash while a pending fine amount of Rs 1.02 lakh would have to be deposited at the regional transport office (RTO) by the violators. Most of the penalised commuters were found not wearing helmets, driving without a licence, not fastening seat belts and rash driving.
DSP (Traffic), Samarandra Nayak said in urban areas of Rourkela police district, the joint drive would continue till the police get e-challan machines as issuing challans manually in urban areas is restricted. On restrictions on parking of four-wheelers on the Rourkela main road, the DSP said it would continue to ease traffic congestion. A joint drive will be taken up by police and RMC for clearing footpaths of encroachments.