If it is about vehicles, Kochi wants to be on top always. Be it in the total number of vehicles or licence holders. But the latest is that Kochi tops in the amount that they pay for violating traffic rules.

In 2011, city residents paid a penalty of Rs1,07,34,656 to the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), which is more than any other region in the state.

“This is the first time a region has hit the Rs 1 crore limit,” said a motor vehicle inspector, Mr G Ananthakrishnan.

“Every year, Kochi pays an additional Rs25 lakh towards traffic penalties. It is a huge amount, considering the fact that the MVD is facing a severe staff shortage.

The department has only five MVIs and 10 assistant MVIs here. This means, each official collects an amount close to Rs 7 lakh as compound fees,” he said.

Kochi residents had paid Rs 54,97,810 in 2009 and Rs 77,24,293 in 2010 as compound fees.
“We have never been extra strict towards traffic regulations, as we don’t want to be hate-figures.

The whopping penalty is just a sign of irresponsible driving by the residents here. Most of the cases are charged in connection with overload travel, traffic signal jump and helmetless rides,” said the regional transport officer, Mr T.J. Thomas.

The department,after rolling out 17 new special squads to catch violators on roads, expects the amount to go up further this year too.