Hyderabad, Dec 30 (NationPress) The police forces of Hyderabad and Cyberabad have instituted a series of traffic restrictions and announced rigorous checks for drunk driving as part of the New Year festivities.

Both commissionerates have declared traffic curbs for the night of December 31 and January 1 to promote traffic discipline and bolster road safety.

All flyovers in the city, with the exception of Begumpet and Tolichowki, will be closed to vehicular traffic. However, the PVNR Expressway Flyover will remain open exclusively for travelers heading to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with valid flight tickets.

The police have indicated that their primary focus will be on bustling marketplaces, areas near malls, and popular celebration spots, particularly around Hussain Sagar Lake located in the city center.

Attention will also be directed towards shopping areas, commercial zones, restaurants, and bars in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Khairathabad, Saifabad, and nearby locales.

Hyderabad's Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), R. Venkateshwarlu, stated that adequate traffic personnel will be deployed at 217 key junctions and intersections throughout the city.

Traffic will be prohibited on NTR Marg, PVNR Marg (Necklace Road), and Tank Bund from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Vehicles approaching Tank Bund, Necklace Road, and NTR Marg from various sectors of Hyderabad and Secunderabad will be redirected at 11 designated points.

Pedestrians intending to visit Tank Bund are encouraged to park their vehicles in specified areas.

During the hours of 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., entry into Hyderabad city limits will be restricted for private travel buses, trucks, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), and heavy passenger vehicles (HPVs).

These vehicles, including private travel buses headed to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other states, are advised to utilize the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Management at three-star hotels and above, along with clubs, bars, and event organizers, have been instructed to implement special parking arrangements and security measures to facilitate smooth traffic flow. “While liquor service must be limited to fixed hours at pubs and bars, they are required to provide safe transportation for intoxicated patrons,” the police official emphasized.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police will conduct thorough checks to deter traffic offenses, including drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding, driving on the wrong side, riding without helmets, and carrying excess passengers on two-wheelers, among others.

Severe legal actions will be taken against violations such as drunk driving, speeding, stunt biking, racing, and other hazardous driving behaviors.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police urges all motorists to avoid driving under the influence. “If you have consumed alcohol, please opt for public transport or a cab to ensure your safety,” they advised.

Commuters are cautioned that drunk driving is a violation punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, carrying a fine of Rs. 10,000 and/or up to six months in prison. Repeat offenders may face a suspension of their driving licenses by the RTA for three months or longer, or even permanently. Minors are prohibited from driving, and their vehicle owners will be held accountable.

The Cyberabad Traffic Police have also announced traffic restrictions for the New Year celebrations.

Drivers of cabs, taxis, and auto rickshaws must be in proper uniform and possess all necessary documentation. They are prohibited from refusing rides to any passenger.

The traffic police have also declared that any bar, pub, or club that knowingly allows customers to drive under the influence will face strict legal action, and the management will be prosecuted for abetting the crime.

“They must educate their patrons about the dangers of drunk driving and arrange alternative transportation for them. They should prevent intoxicated individuals from driving vehicles from their premises,” the police stated.

Special cameras have been installed to monitor dangerous infractions such as driving on the wrong side, unauthorized parking, speeding, running red lights, reckless driving, and riding without helmets. Offenders captured by these cameras will face strict repercussions.

Extensive checks for drunk driving will be initiated on all roads within the Cyberabad jurisdiction starting at 8 p.m. Vehicles lacking proper documentation will be temporarily seized.

Driving without a valid license or by minors will result in the vehicle being detained, with both the owner and the driver facing legal action.

High-decibel sound systems in vehicles are strictly prohibited, and violators will have their vehicles impounded and sent to the RTO for further proceedings.

Overcrowding in vehicles, traveling on top of vehicles, and creating disturbances in public areas will also lead to strict enforcement of the law.

The police clarified that any individual causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence will face criminal charges under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), resulting in arrest and incarceration.