This is an archive article published on January 2, 2024
Over 4,200 challans issued on New Year’s eve in Delhi; cases of drink driving double
Over 549 people were booked for drinking and driving between December 30-31, in 2023. Most challans were issued in Kapashera (Southwest Delhi), followed by Nangloi, Sangam Vihar, Tilak Nagar and Nand Nagri.
People enjoy and having picnics on the occasion of New Year at Lodhi Garden, in New Delhi on Sunday, January 01, 2023. Express photo by Abhinav Saha
The Delhi Police maintained a strict vigil on New Year’s Eve to maintain law and order on the roads as well as to ensure smooth traffic in the city. Officials issued more than 4,200 challans to those involved in drink driving, speeding, jumping red light and other offences.
Police said more than 10,000 personnel including traffic units were deployed to maintain law and order on the roads.
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On Monday, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed around Kartavya Path, CP, ITO, Sansad Marg and Red Fort. Extra force was deployed in the areas around Defence Colony, GK, East of Kailash, Munirka and Hauz Khas to control traffic, the police said.
As per the data released by traffic officials, 2,120 persons were booked for drinking and driving from December 16 to December 31 in 2023. Compared to previous years, the cases of drink driving and general traffic violations have almost doubled. Data shows that between December 16 and December 31 in 2022, more than 1,103 persons were booked for drinking and driving. While, in 2021, the number of offenders was only 274 for the same period.
A senior traffic officer said, “We have had double the number of challans issued this year due to active police presence on the streets. People were booked for improper parking, wrong-side driving and for not wearing seat belts. Traffic police was deployed around all major malls, markets, clubs and arterial roads.”
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Most offenders were caught in Sangam Vihar, Lajpat Nagar, Badarpur, Kalkaji, Parliament and Sarita Vihar areas. Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SS Yadav had said that more than 250 teams were specifically tasked to detect cases of drinking and driving during the festivities.
Over 549 people were booked for drinking and driving between December 30-31, in 2023. Most challans were issued in Kapashera (Southwest Delhi), followed by Nangloi, Sangam Vihar, Tilak Nagar and Nand Nagri.
As per the data, traffic police witnessed an eight-fold increase in the number of traffic challans from previous years. In 2023, a total of 16,173 cases of drinking and driving were lodged in comparison to 2,225 cases in 2022 and 2,831 cases in 2021. Police said it was due to active patrolling and picketing throughout the year.
Most cases were lodged in Southeast Delhi— Badarpur, Sarita Vihar, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas, Najafgarh, Punjabi Bagh etc.
People enjoy and having picnics on the occasion of New Year at Lodhi Garden, in New Delhi on Sunday, January 01, 2023. Express photo by Abhinav Saha 
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