New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court has directed the traffic police to ensure rigorous enforcement of the ban on slow-moving vehicles on expressways, saying an oversight could culminate in tragic consequences including casualties.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, in an order released on Tuesday, observed that adherence to traffic norms was not merely a matter of law but a necessity in order to safeguard travellers as well as to facilitate unhindered vehicular flow, and that the inherent vulnerability of slow-moving vehicles like two-wheelers, three-wheelers and tractors amplify the risk on expressways.

Emphasising that road safety demands unwavering attention and collective efforts by authorities and the public, the court ordered, “Respondent No. 3 [Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Traffic), South -West] is directed to ensure rigorous enforcement of existing prohibitions … pertaining to the movement of slow-moving vehicles on expressways, especially within the territorial confines of the NCT of Delhi.” The bench, also comprising Justice Sanjeev Narula, added that regular monitoring and prompt corrective action should be taken by the authorities whenever deviations from the prescribed norms are observed.

“Expressways, in the tapestry of modern infrastructural advancements, are arteries of swift movement, designed to bridge distances with unprecedented speed. The inception of these roads was envisioned for swift-moving vehicles to alleviate traffic congestion and provide a faster, more efficient mode of transport,” said the court in the order.

It, however, refused to direct demarcation of specific lanes for slow-moving vehicles on expressways and left it to discretion of the government and the relevant departments, saying the “proposition is laden with complexities” and “deeply entrenched in policy considerations.

“As a judicial body, we must refrain from delving into areas earmarked for executive and policy-making functions. The relevant government departments should exercise their discretion, underpinned by expert assessments, to determine the feasibility and safety implications of such initiatives,” the court stated.

In its order, the court also said while it was “fully conscious” that the management of traffic resided with the executive, the judiciary’s role could not be eclipsed when the citizens have invoked their right to a safer transit environment, a right intrinsically linked to the broader right to life and personal liberty.

Petitioner Yuvraj Francis, represented by advocate Naman Joshi, approached the court on the basis of his personal experiences of commuting on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway since 2011.

He said there was an alarming increase in the presence of slow-moving vehicles, which not only led to a multitude of accidents but also resulted in considerable loss of life and property damage.

Between the years 2017 and 2022, as per NHAI data, there were 31 fatalities on the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway due to slow-moving vehicles and 137 grave accidents, the court was told.

The court observed that the authorities acknowledge “the alarming frequency of accidents attributed to the ingress of slow-moving vehicles onto the expressway” and the issue was of enforcement and adherence with the existing norms.

“It is therefore evident that the regulatory framework has clear provisions prohibiting slow-moving vehicles on designated expressways. The issue.. is more of enforcement and adherence rather than the absence of regulations. While regulations concerning the movement of slow-moving vehicles on expressways, such as the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, are in place, it is evident that there is a gap in their practical execution,” the court noted.

“Adherence to traffic norms and road regulations is not merely a matter of law, but a paramount necessity to safeguard every individual using our expressways and to facilitate unhindered vehicular flow. Given the accelerated pace at which vehicles traverse these expressways, any oversight or disregard for the prescribed regulations could culminate in tragic consequences, manifesting in casualties, physical harm, and extensive property damage,” it said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

More than 1.5 lakh challans were issued till October 15 this year to vehicle owners driving without pollution under control certificates (PUCC), Delhi Traffic Police said today.

According to data shared by traffic police, a total of 1,58,762 challans were issued till October 15 this year, which is 50,662 more than the number of challans issued during the same period last year.

During the period from January 1 to October 15, 52,388 challans were issued in 2021 and 1,08,100 in 2022.

This year, the maximum number of challans were issued in Daryaganj circle (6,306), followed by Sarita Vihar (6,254), Rajouri Garden (5,595), Shahdara (5,442) and Tilak Nagar (5,252), the data showed.

Traffic police issued most of the challans to motorcycle riders (69,190), followed by scooter riders (49,219), car drivers (33,754) and autorickshaw drivers (1,556).

A total of 81,246 challans were issued in 2019, 69,199 in 2020, 1,04,369 in 2021 and 1,31,799 in 2022, according to the data.

The number of challans in 2020 was comparatively less as there were restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delhi Traffic Police is taking various steps to check and control air pollution in the city, including enforcement of directions issued by Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, National Green Tribunal, Commission for Air Quality Management, Central Pollution Control Board, Environment Department/Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi government, etc. to maintain ambient air quality, an official statement said.

It is mandatory for vehicles plying in India to have valid PUCC and for their drivers to carry a copy of it.

The main purpose behind this is to only allow those vehicles on the roads that are following emission norms as regulated by the central government. The vehicles plying without valid PUCC are fined Rs 10,000, including disqualification of license for three months for the first offence, the statement said.

The increase in the number of challans over the years suggests a growing emphasis on curbing vehicular emissions and promoting cleaner air in the city, the statement said.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

In view of the upcoming G20 Summit, the Delhi Police has put in a few restrictions to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in the national capital. However, despite sharing the traffic advisory on social media handles, the Delhi Traffic Police (DTP) has still been receiving a lot of queries from the public about its traffic management plan for the summit being held from September 8 to 10. 

Now, in reference to this, the Delhi Traffic Police has shared guidelines for routes to be taken by flyers planning to head to Delhi airport during the G20 Summit. “What if, I have a flight on 08/09/10th September, 2023, and I have to reach IGI Airport during G20 Summit? Don’t worry! Just follow the instructions in this video,” the DTP wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter). 

Watch the video below: 

What if, I have a flight on 08/09/10th September, 2023, and I have to reach IGI Airport during G20 Summit?

Don’t worry! Just follow the instructions in this video.#G20Summit#G20SummitDelhiFAQs@LtGovDelhi@MEAIndia@CPDelhi@PIB_India@ssyipspic.twitter.com/C7cIz7E0gF

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) September 2, 2023

“My dear friend no need to worry, you can use the Metro services to go Airport from your nearest Metro Station,” the officials informed in the clip. One can visit the official Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) website to check the exact Metro navigation for Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. 

“You can go anywhere in the Capital City by using Metro Service,” the text on the clip read.

Also Read | Will Delhi Be Under Lockdown For G20 Summit? What Delhi Police Said

One can also use suggested road routes for the airport mentioned in the previously released traffic advisory. “Passengers should note that road journey towards IGI Airport will be affected from 0000 hours on the intervening night of 07 & 08.09.2023 to 2359 hours on 10.09.2023,” it read. 

Notably, the G20 Summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on September 9 and 10, 2023. However, the delegates will also visit Rajghat, NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art) and Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa during the summit. Therefore, there may be certain traffic regulations in the area of in and around New Delhi from 07.09.2023 to 11.09.2023, the Delhi police said.