Traffic Enforcement – Delhi Sees Sharp Rise in Action Against Wrong-Side Driving
Traffic Enforcement – Delhi Police have significantly intensified enforcement against traffic violations across the national capital, with a sharp rise in action against wrong-side driving and illegal parking during the first half of the year. Authorities informed Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu that stricter monitoring and coordinated enforcement have resulted in a substantial increase in prosecutions aimed at improving road safety and reducing congestion.
Delhi Police reported that challans issued for wrong-side driving climbed by 98 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Between January 1 and June 25, authorities issued around 3.42 lakh challans, up from nearly 1.72 lakh during the same period in the previous year. In addition to monetary penalties, police also registered 2,033 First Information Reports (FIRs) against motorists found driving on the wrong side of roads.
Coordinated Drives to Remove Road Encroachments
The Lieutenant-Governor also reviewed a large-scale campaign focused on removing encroachments from public roads and improving traffic movement. Conducted jointly by Delhi Police, civic agencies, Resident Welfare Associations, and Market Traders Associations, the initiative included approximately 4,900 special enforcement drives between January and June.
Officials said these operations targeted illegal parking and obstructions affecting pedestrians and vehicles. As a result, nearly 3.9 lakh improper parking challans were issued to help keep roads and footpaths accessible and reduce traffic bottlenecks in busy areas of the city.
Illegal Parking Cases Continue to Increase
Police data showed that enforcement against unauthorised parking also recorded a noticeable rise during the review period. Challans issued for illegal parking increased by 36.5 per cent, rising from approximately 7.78 lakh in the previous year to around 10.62 lakh by June 25 this year.
During the review meeting, Sandhu highlighted the need for continued action against other traffic violations as well. He instructed officials to strengthen enforcement against riders travelling without helmets and those involved in triple riding on two-wheelers, both of which remain significant road safety concerns.
Eastern Range Records the Largest Jump
Among all police ranges, the eastern district witnessed the most significant increase in action against wrong-side driving. The number of challans surged by 189 per cent, increasing from 33,413 last year to 96,472 during the current review period. The same region also registered a 103 per cent rise in challans for unauthorised parking, with the figure increasing from 1.13 lakh to 2.29 lakh.
Other Police Ranges Report Similar Growth
The northern range recorded a 128 per cent increase in prosecutions for wrong-side driving, with challans rising from 11,037 to 25,251. Police also registered 410 FIRs related to this offence. Cases involving unauthorised parking in the region increased by 51.5 per cent, reaching 63,338 from 41,805 recorded during the previous year.
In the central range, challans issued for wrong-side driving grew by 81.5 per cent, increasing from 69,149 to nearly 1.25 lakh. Authorities also registered 334 FIRs in connection with the violation. Meanwhile, challans for illegal parking almost doubled, rising from 94,945 to approximately 1.88 lakh.
The New Delhi range reported a 105 per cent rise in wrong-side driving challans, increasing from 11,140 to 22,901. Unauthorised parking prosecutions in the area also grew by 13 per cent, reaching around 2.21 lakh. The southern range registered a 79 per cent increase in wrong-side driving cases along with 333 FIRs, while illegal parking challans rose by 11 per cent. The western range also witnessed a 29 per cent increase in action against wrong-side driving, where police registered 296 FIRs during the review period.