237 vehicles fined for illegal parking on NH in Dhanbad

Dhanbad: The National Highway Task Force has intensified its crackdown on vehicles parked illegally along national highways, collecting around Rs 21.5 lakh in fines from 237 vehicles during a special enforcement drive since Sept 26, officials said on Thursday.The campaign was launched to ensure smooth and safe traffic movement and prevent accidents caused by vehicles parked along busy highway stretches.Officials said several heavy and commercial vehicles were found parked haphazardly on the roadside in violation of traffic regulations, posing a serious risk to motorists.The enforcement drive was conducted jointly by the district transport officer, motor vehicle inspector, district road safety team, police officials and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) route patrolling vehicle team. The vehicles found violating parking rules were penalised under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.Dhanbad DC Aditya Ranjan said the administration was taking the issue of road safety seriously and that the enforcement campaign would continue. He said strict action would be taken against motorists violating traffic regulations.Along with issuing challans, the task force conducted a road safety awareness campaign among drivers and the general public. Drivers were instructed not to park vehicles illegally on national highways or along their edges and to use designated parking areas.Officials said roadside parking, particularly by heavy vehicles, can obstruct traffic movement and reduce visibility for approaching motorists, increasing the possibility of serious accidents.The crackdown has gained significance following the Sept 24 accident in which four children, including Trisha Singh, daughter of rural development minister Deepika Pandey Singh, were killed after their car rammed into a truck parked on the roadside. All four occupants died on the spot.Following the accident, enforcement drives against illegal parking and other traffic violations have been intensified on national and state highways across state.Stay updated with the latest Ranchi news. Download the TOI App.