Hyderabad Police Set 100 New Year Drunk Driving Checks
Drunk driving is a punishable offence under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, carrying a fine of Rs.10,000 or imprisonment up to six months.
Hyderabad: City police said they had proposed stringing action against drunk driving in the run-up to New Year’s Eve. The excise department, meanwhile, allowed extended liquor service hours at bars, clubs, event-permitted establishments and tourism-area outlets till 1 am on December 31, while A4 liquor shops may sell alcohol till midnight
City police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said special drives against drunk driving will be conducted from December 24, warning that violations would attract stringent penalties. Drunk driving is a punishable offence under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, carrying a fine of ₹10,000 or imprisonment up to six months.
Repeat offenders face suspension of driving licences by the Regional Transport Authority for three months or more, and in severe cases, permanent cancellation. He cautioned that if an accident occurs, offenders may also be booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police may also recommend cancellation of licences.
Cyberabad traffic police officials said that checks would be intensified within their commissionerate’s limits too, targeting all the hotspots for drunk driving. Fines for drunk driving would remain as per provisions of the MV Act.
Addressing officers via video conference at the Telangana Integrated Command Control Centre (TGICCC), Sajjanar reviewed security arrangements for Christmas, Vaikunta Ekadashi and New Year. He said drunk driving checks would be carried out at 100 locations across the city on December 31 night, with seven additional platoons deployed exclusively for enforcement.
Those indulging in racing, wheeling and rash driving will face strict action. Vehicle seizure, prosecution of guardians allowing minors to drive, and enhanced surveillance at identified hotspots were also ordered.
“Drunk driving poses a grave threat not just to the driver but to innocent road users. There will be zero tolerance,” Sajjanar said, advising partygoers to use cab services or designated drivers. He added that road safety remains the top priority of the Hyderabad traffic police and urged citizens to report violations through official social media handles, WhatsApp (8712661690) and the traffic helpline (9010203626).
New Year’s Eve events at pubs and three-star-and-above hotels must conclude by 1 am, with strict adherence to noise pollution norms. Managements will be held accountable if ganja, narcotics or obscene performances are detected, with licences liable for cancellation. Fifteen SHE Teams will be deployed in mufti to ensure women’s safety.
Meanwhile, the excise department has permitted liquor service at bars, clubs, event-permitted establishments and tourism-area outlets till 1 am on December 31, while A4 liquor shops may sell alcohol till midnight, prohibition and excise commissioner C. Harikiran said in the order issued.
Excise enforcement director Shahnawaz Qasim said special raids against non-duty paid liquor (NDPL) and NDPS would be conducted on across Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts, with action against illicit liquor in Warangal and Nagarkurnool. Monitoring will intensify on December 30 and 31, including vehicle checks, route watches and surveillance at all 20 checkposts, railway routes and other transit points.
