Heavy vehicles served 6,210 e-challans

Heavy vehicles paid up fines for violating rules regarding restriction on movement on city roads; echallans worth ₹51.45 lakh have been paid

As many as 6,210 echallans were generated in a span of just 40 days in Hyderabad after the issue of traffic restrictions on heavy vehicles by the Hyderabad City Police on February 20, 2024. Interestingly, 183 First Information Reports (FIRs) were also registered across 31 police stations in the Hyderabad Commissionerate.

According to the data shared by traffic officials, echallans worth ₹51.45 lakh have been paid by violators in a span of 40 days between February 20 and March 30.

Heavy vehicle transporters seem to be still warming up to the restrictions announced by the Hyderabad City Police last month with certain police stations recording high number of cases registered against traffic violations along with echallans.

Maximum echallans were issued in Towlichowki (981) followed by Malakpet (620) and Chandrayangutta (441) among others .

A senior traffic official said: “Vehicles violating rules by entering the city during restricted hours are fined. While the driver is asked to clear the echallan, the vehicle is released only during the permitted hours. In cases where the vehicle is plying without a permit, FIRs are registered on the spot.”

While traffic restrictions were always in place, there was no specific demarcation for entry, exit and idle parking of interstate heavy vehicles leading to congestion and hence resulting in inconvenience to commuters on specific city roads.

In an attempt to ease vehicular congestion and ensure freeflowing traffic within city limits, the police had notified compulsory entry and exit timings for interdistrict, national permit lorries, local lorries, medium goods vehicles, private buses, and slowmoving vehicles.

Many transporters are still unaware of the restrictions and are getting used to it. “Specific provisions for entry and exit timings are available for transporters post approval by the commissioner’s office,” officials informed.