Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 16: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Kashmir has suspended 250 driving licences of persons allegedly involved in drug peddling cases and seized nearly 270 vehicles as part of the ongoing crackdown under the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan.
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir Qazi Irfan said the action was initiated following cases referred by the J&K Police against persons allegedly involved in narcotics-related activities.
He said recommendations for suspension of another 250 driving licences have also been received, while 25 more vehicles were recently seized during enforcement operations.
“This drive is not in isolation. Several enforcement drives have been conducted under the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan following cases received from the Police Department involving drug peddling,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MVD today conducted a major enforcement drive across all districts of Kashmir Division to ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety.
The drive was carried out at multiple strategic locations, including high-traffic and accident-prone areas, under the overall monitoring of Transport Commissioner J&K Vishesh Paul Mahajan.
Special teams checked violations such as driving without valid licences, overloading, non-use of seat belts and helmets, use of mobile phones while driving, and violation of emission norms.
During the drive, 517 violators were challaned, 70 vehicles were blacklisted on the spot, and 186 driving licences were recommended for suspension.
Officials said Rs 10.66 lakh was realised as fine under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Irfan said nearly 18,000 cases involving vehicles with repeated traffic violations were referred by the Traffic Police for further action.
“There have been instances where a single vehicle had 20 to 30 challans. We have processed these 18,000 cases and suspended their registration certificates (RCs). If such violators do not stop their careless behaviour, stricter action will follow,” he said.
The RTO also said the department has revised transport fares after stakeholders raised concerns that rates had not been updated since 2021.
“The revised rates have now been notified on a kilometre-wise basis,” he said.
On measures against overloading, Irfan said weighbridges are functioning at multiple locations, including Sonamarg, where dedicated teams have been deployed to check vehicles carrying excess load.
The department also expressed concern over private vans ferrying schoolchildren in unsafe conditions.
Irfan urged parents not to rely on unauthorised private vehicles and instead use officially designated school transport facilities.
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