Traffic cops penalise 264 motorists for halting on ‘Atal Sethu’ for selfie and picnicking
Traffic cops penalise 264 motorists for halting on ‘Atal Sethu’ for selfie and picnicking
Mumbai traffic policemen penalise violators on the sea bridge on Sunday. (Express Photo)
Despite Traffic Cops warning motorists not to violate on the newly opened ‘Atal Sethu’ (MTHL), some.people seem to have taken it easily.
On Sunday, traffic cops penalises as many as 264 motorists with Rs 500 each on for unnecessarily halting their vehicles on the bridge for ‘selfie’ and picknicking, affecting vehicular movement on the sea bridge.
The 21.8 km-long country’s longest sea link between Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai and Sewri in Mumbai that was inaugurated by Prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday was opened to public on Saturday morning.
As per an officer of the Mumbai Traffic Police, given the viral social media photos and videos on the sea bridge, people thronged it on Sunday for joyride and stopped in the middle of the bridge for taking selfies, blocking the lanes.
The bridge begins in Sewri, South Mumbai, and crosses Thane Creek north of Elephanta Island, and ends at Chirle near Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka.
Some citizens shared videos and photos on social media of vehicles parked alongside of the bridge with people walking over the deck for taking pictures. The citizens even tagged the Mumbai traffic police in the posts.
The traffic police teams fronted by ACP Abdul Sayyed of south-central division and API Sharad Patil from Wadala traffic division penalised 120 violators, and charged them under sections 122 and 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
The officer added that the people should understand that vehicles pass by at a very high speed on the bridge and even heavy vehicles also use it. One negligent act can lead to a big accident on the bridge, which is in the middle of the sea.
Meanwhile, according to an officer of Mumbai traffic police strict action will be initiated against motorists for stopping vehicles on Atal Setu that will include charges under the Indian Penal Code.
The team appeal to motorists to not stop vehicles and get down on Atal Setu. By doing so, people are not just endangering their own lives, but also of other motorists. They have informed MMRDA to put up ‘no stopping’, ‘no halting’ boards on the bridge.”
News Edit K.V.Raman
