Only nine challans for drunken driving this year

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 17

While drunken driving cases are on the rise in the city, the traffic police seem to have failed in curbing the trend.

The traffic police have issued only nine challans for drunken driving so far this year. Last year, they had issued only 40 challans.

Besides, the police have only 11 breath analysers, a majority of which are lying defunct for the past many months.

City residents have alleged that the police have initiated no action to curb the menace despite repeated complaints.

In the evening, one can easily notice a number of vehicles parked at public places, especially outside eating joints offering non-vegetarian food.

People may be spotted consuming liquor inside these vehicles without any intervention, they added.

Manjeet Singh, a city resident, said, “Without a doubt, there has been no check on drunken drivers who not only flout traffic norms but also pose a threat to other commuters. The problem of drunken driving is more prevalent on the GT Road, at Ghorawala Chowk, Rose Garden Chowk, railway station road, ITI Chowk, bus stand chowk and 100 feet road.”

Kamal Jindal, another city resident, said, “People in an inebriated state often enter into brawls and even pass disgraceful comments on the passers-by.”

SP (Traffic) Gurmeet Singh said, “Due to inadequate manpower, we often focus on the smooth flow of traffic on the city roads, instead of issuing challans to offenders.”

He said they would soon initiate a drive to curb the menace by penalising the offenders.