Visakhapatnam: Violators of Covid norms, traffic rules get their vehicles back

Visakhapatnam: The lockdown has come as a blessing in disguise for the cash-strapped State as the number of vehicles seized during this period brought sizeable inflow into its exchequer.

In Visakhapatnam district alone, 10,296 vehicles have been seized for flouting the lockdown norms and for other reasons as well. In the process, the State grew richer by Rs 9.07 crore by way of penalty charged towards releasing confiscated vehicles.

Of the total amount, Rs 5.34 crore fine was imposed within the city limits and Rs 3.73 crore was charged within the rural jurisdiction of Visakhapatnam.

Followed by the instructions of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, the police decided to return the impounded vehicles to the owners.

Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed, many motorists, youth in particular, violated the lockdown norms. "However, restrictions continue to be in force until the lockdown concludes and violators will not be spared," cautions Attada Babujee, Visakhapatnam Rural SP.

The exercise of returning the impounded vehicles to their owners has commenced in both city and rural limits.

While the number of vehicles seized within the city limits include 7,712 and 4,890 cases were booked across the city under the IPC section. In addition, 2.41 lakh cases have been booked under the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act during the lockdown period. In all 14,247 violators have been taken into custody so far.

When it comes to rural limits, the seized vehicles include 2,584 and 6,775 cases were booked under the IPC section. This apart, 86,037 cases have been booked under the provisions of MV Act. The police arrested 8,166 violators ever since the first lockdown began on March 25.

Though initially, the police have been a bit liberal towards the motorists, violations started to mount. In an effort to control this, the police began seizing vehicles. Apart from the lockdown violation, cases have also been booked under the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act.

Though orders have been issued not to release the vehicles seized till the lockdown concludes, the fourth lockdown comes as a big relief to the motorists as the Chief Minister gave instructions to return the vehicles confiscated.

There were many vehicles parked in various police stations across the district and a majority of them were left at the parking lot for more than a month. "Glad to get back my four-wheeler after signing a bond for the fine charged," says P Shankar Rao, an entrepreneur, whose vehicle was seized.

Depending on the severity of the violation, penalty is being charged up to Rs 5,000.

In addition to charging penalties, counselling will also be given to the violators cautioning the motorists not to repeat the violation.