The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Traffic police net whopping revenues

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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Traffic police net whopping revenues

M. Srinivas

HYDERABAD: Guess what motorists in Hyderabad are famous for? Parking their vehicles at places where they are not supposed to, going by the number of such violations reported.

Of a total 15,02,269 cases booked last year, parking violations topped the list of 22 types of violations, numbering 2,14,678 cases. This is followed by extra-projection (height-load or overloads) in auto trolleys, vans and lorries, and driving sans headgear.

The traffic police netted revenues of a whopping Rs.14.94 crore in the form of penalties and compounding fees in 2007, compared to Rs.15.67 crore in 2006.

Unmindful of inconvenience to other road users, people park on the road, just about everywhere, be it near Hyderabad Central or nar G. Pulla Reddy sweet shop in Somajiguda, very close to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s residence or a dozen such locations in the twin cities.

Boards that clearly say ‘No Parking - Towing Zone’ do not appear to deter violators.

People however blame Government for the chaotic situation.

Swank malls, multiplexes and sprawling parks - they are all there in a happening Hyderabad.

“But what it lacks is enough parking places leading to chaos on the main thoroughfares”, P. Rajesh Chander, a businessman from Chilkalguda, points out, adding that municipal officials and traffic police should take stern action against builders for not providing adequate parking in complexes.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) V. S. K. Kaumudi says focus was being laid on preventing motorists from parking at no-parking zones to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic.

“We are organising inspections periodically with cranes to curb it”, he says. Experts caution that the situation would be more ‘alarming’ with increase in vehicle population, particularly four-wheelers and hence the problem must be addressed now.

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Andhra Pradesh