Traffic violations surge over 100 pc during Holi this year
New Delhi (PTI): Traffic violations surged by more than 100 per cent during Holi celebrations this year, an official said on Saturday.
A total of 7,230 challans were issued on Holi this year, marking a sharp increase from 3,589 violations recorded in 2024, he said.
According to a police statement, the number of people caught for drunken driving surged to 1,213 in 2025 compared to 824 in 2024. Similarly, helmet-related violations increased by 56 per cent to 2,376 this year from 1,524 challans in 2024.
The statement added that other offenses, including triple-riding, tinted glass violations and driving without seat belts also saw an increase. A total of 573 challans were issued for triple-riding and 97 for tinted glass violations this year.
According to the statement, about 1,241 violators were booked for other traffic offenses last year on Holi, with it rising by 139 per cent in 2025 with a total of 2,971 violators booked.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta stated, "Keeping in view the Holi celebrations on Friday, the Delhi Traffic Police implemented extensive arrangements to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Special measures were taken to curb incidents of drunken driving, triple-riding, underage driving, and stunt performances on two-wheelers."
The officer added that 84 special teams equipped with alcometers to check drunken driving and 40 joint checking teams that comprised traffic police and local police personnel, were deployed at major intersections, drinking hotspots and vulnerable locations across the capital.
These teams were stationed from 8 am to midnight to detect and prosecute traffic violators, he said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
