On Sunday, a total of 264 motorists faced fines of Rs 500 each for unwarranted halts on the newly inaugurated Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). These interruptions, primarily caused by individuals stopping their vehicles for photography and picnicking, led to disruptions in the smooth flow of traffic on the sea bridge, as reported by the police.
Authorities from the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai traffic police have issued stern warnings about potential criminal offenses against motorists found halting their vehicles on the sea bridge. The 21.8 km-long MTHL, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and made accessible to the public on Saturday morning, stands as the country's longest sea link connecting Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai and Sewri in Mumbai.
In response to the widespread circulation of viral photos and videos on social media showcasing the newly inaugurated sea bridge, a surge of people gathered on Sunday for joyrides. This resulted in individuals stopping their vehicles in the middle of the bridge to capture selfies, causing significant lane blockages, as explained by a Mumbai traffic police official. Numerous citizens took to social media to share videos and photos depicting vehicles parked along the sides of the bridge, with individuals walking on the deck to capture pictures. Some of these posts specifically tagged the Mumbai traffic police.
Under the leadership of ACP Abdul Sayyed from the south-central division and API Sharad Patil from the Wadala traffic division, 120 violators were penalized. These individuals faced charges under sections 122 and 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, as confirmed by a senior police officer in Mumbai. Simultaneously, DCP Tirupati Kakde of the Navi Mumbai traffic police reported penalizing 144 motorists on Sunday until 9 pm for unauthorized stops on the bridge.
Expressing concern, an officer emphasized the potential dangers associated with stopping on the bridge, given the high-speed passage of vehicles and the use of the bridge by heavy vehicles. The appeal was made to motorists to refrain from stopping on the bridge, emphasizing the critical importance of avoiding negligent actions that could lead to significant accidents on the sea-located structure.
During a special drive, the Mumbai police implemented nakabandi at 108 locations throughout the city on Saturday night, scrutinizing over 6,000 vehicles for traffic rule violations. A notable 1,869 bikers faced penalties for riding without helmets, while 255 individuals were penalized for riding triples. Additionally, 85 cases were registered for rash driving, and 138 motorists were booked under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving in the wrong direction.
In a further crackdown, 20 individuals were taken to task for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 153 vehicles were impounded for rash driving. This concerted effort by the Mumbai traffic police underscores their commitment to maintaining road safety and enforcing traffic regulations.
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