Telangana Chief Minister Takes Hard Stance on Traffic Violations
Hyderabad witnessed a significant policy shift on Monday as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy declared an end to discounts on traffic challans. The announcement came during the 'Arrive Alive' program organized by Telangana police to combat the state's alarming road accident rates.
Direct Bank Deductions for Traffic Fines
Revanth Reddy issued clear directives to both police and transport departments. He instructed them to develop a system where challan amounts would be automatically deducted from vehicle owners' bank accounts following traffic violations. This move aims to eliminate delays in penalty payments and ensure immediate enforcement.
The Chief Minister expressed frustration with current practices. "Police typically focus on issuing challans for offenses like speeding," he noted. "However, some individuals dispute these challans and delay penalty payments, hoping for government discounts. We must stop this discount practice entirely."
Systematic Approach to Vehicle Registration
Revanth Reddy further directed officials to coordinate with banking institutions. He emphasized that transport department officials should collect vehicle owners' bank account details during the registration process itself. This proactive measure would facilitate the proposed direct deduction system for traffic fines.
Personal Tragedies Highlight Road Safety Urgency
The Chief Minister shared emotional accounts of colleagues and public figures who lost family members in road accidents. He specifically mentioned cabinet colleagues Komitireddy Venkat Reddy and Mohammed Azharuddin, along with popular film personalities Babu Mohan and Kota Srinivasa Rao, who all experienced the trauma of losing sons to fatal crashes.
These personal stories underscored Revanth's commitment to comprehensive road safety measures. He stressed the need for multi-level awareness campaigns, including:
- Incorporating road safety into educational curriculum
- Drafting a comprehensive state road safety law
- Implementing drastic changes in traffic administration
Restructuring Traffic Management Authorities
The Telangana government is considering significant reforms in traffic administration, potentially modeled after specialized wings like HYDRAA and EAGLE. Revanth Reddy addressed perceptions about Road Safety Authority appointments, stating, "There has been a feeling that any ADG appointment to the Road Safety Authority is a punishment posting. But from now on, this will not be the case."
He announced that DG or ADG rank officers would receive full powers for dedicated traffic management. The Chief Minister also called for strict action against drunk and underage drivers, urging police to handle such violations with an iron fist.
Additional Road Safety Initiatives
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, speaking at the same event, highlighted recent central government changes. He announced that individuals assisting road accident victims by transporting them to hospitals would receive Rs 25,000 rewards for their emergency care efforts.
Prabhakar revealed post-Sankranti vacation plans to collect affidavits from students. These documents would require parents to commit to following traffic rules, creating family-level accountability for road safety.
Alarming Road Accident Statistics
DGP B Shivadhar Reddy presented sobering statistics during the event. He noted that while 800 people died from murders in 2025, road accidents claimed over 7,500 lives during the same period. The 'Arrive Alive' campaign will run from January 13 to January 24 across Telangana.
"Apart from government officials," Shivadhar emphasized, "people and other stakeholders must actively participate in this campaign to reduce road fatalities."
The event concluded with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launching an awareness video featuring a song about road safety importance. This multimedia approach represents part of the government's comprehensive strategy to make Telangana's roads safer for all citizens.
