Crackdown on BRT violators

Express News Service New Delhi,Dec 10 Jumping traffic signals and zipping through the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor proved costly for 30 commuters after the Transport department subjected them to a steep fine of Rs 2,000 each on Friday. While 11 offenders were fined on the spot by Transport department,another 19 offenders would receive challans,along with photographic evidence of their violations,at home. Transport Commissioner R K Verma told Newsline,“We began imposing fines for traffic violations on the BRT corridor from today. While 11 offenders were challaned on the spot,we have gathered evidence against 19 offenders,who will be sent challans. Our officials at the Operations Control Centre (OCC) have been keeping an eye on traffic violators on the corridor.” Highly sensitive cameras monitor movement on the corridor and the OCC at Kashmere Gate keeps a record of violations at all times. High-resolution 360-degree PTZ Indigo Vision CCTV cameras have been installed at 10 locations — Ambedkar Nagar,Pushp Vihar,Pushp Bhawan,Krishi Vihar,Siri Fort,Andrews Ganj,Press Enclave,Chirag Delhi and Bhairon Marg — on the corridor,officials said. Traffic violations such as private vehicles entering the corridor and vehicles jumping traffic signals were being recorded for the last one month,with the data was being transferred to the Traffic Police and Transport department for further action. However,the Transport department began issuing challans only from Friday. While the authorities used to restrict themselves to issuing challans and making handwritten notes of violations previously,they have now taken to recording footage of violations and taking photographs of the vehicles’ registration plates. Printouts of the images are handed over to Transport department representatives stationed at the OCC.