According to the police, these fines will be issued under Section 201 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which provides for penalties in case of obstruction to the free flow of traffic.
New Delhi: To address frequent congestion on the expressways, the Noida Police have introduced a new fine rule. The authorities have officially designated the Noida Expressway as a ‘Breakdown Fine‘ zone. After this rule, if any vehicle breaks down and causes traffic obstruction, the police can issue a fine and even seize the vehicle. The police have termed this rule necessary as vehicle breakdowns on the expressway are common and often lead to traffic jams. Nearly 5 lakh people use the Noida Expressway daily, which connects Noida-Greater Noida and Delhi, as well as the Yamuna Expressway.
According to the police, these fines will be issued under Section 201 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which provides for penalties in case of obstruction to the free flow of traffic. The fines can range from Rs 5,000 upto Rs 20,000. DCP (Traffic) Lakhan Singh Yadav, while addressing the media said that the traffic on the expressway slows down, especially during the hours, due to the large number of vehicles. The situation gets worse when vehicles break down. To address this issue, the expressway has been declared a ‘Breakdown Challan’ zone.
Private car drivers need not worry
The DCP said that currently, the authorities are focusing only on commercial vehicles. The new rule has been implemented since February, and in the first 10 days, around 50 vehicles have been fined or seized. However, several vehicle owners have opposed this, stating that they did not deliberately damage their vehicles, so why are they being fined?
Vehicle May Also Be Seized
According to the DCP, if a vehicle breaks down on the Noida Expressway, the traffic police will not only tow it but also issue a challan (fine), according to the DCP. The vehicle can also be seized, if it does not have a fitness certificate or other necessary permits. Typically, the traffic police ask the owner or driver for these documents when the vehicle is being towed. If all documents are not in order, fines will be issued.
Is a Car Breakdown a Crime?
According to police, having a vehicle break down on an expressway is not, in itself, a traffic violation. If the vehicle does not have a valid fitness or registration certificate, a pollution control (PUC) certificate, or if it is overloaded, fines may be imposed for these reasons. It is also necessary for vehicles to undergo required servicing and comply with the emission standards set by the National Green Tribunal.
