Guwahati: Celebrate Holi with all fanfare and merriment but refrain from breaking traffic rules and regulations: particularly don’t drink and drive under any circumstance. In case you do, you will have to pay a heavy fine and your driving license will be seized and terminated. And in the worst-case scenario, you might find yourself behind bars.
After Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma cracked the whip on drink driving on Dec 31st and New Year, and also on Bhogali Bihu, authorities this time have pledged to keep Holi celebrations by and large accident-free with traffic and transport officials announcing hefty fines, cancellation of driving licenses and even jail terms if a person is caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Violators will be fined as much as Rs 10,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The Kamrup District Transport Office has already issued a special advisory, warning people against drink and driving during Holi.
Officials said that starting from Thursday special drives are being carried out at different parts of the city to check drink and drive.
“This time we are serious on the issue. The drive will help in checking road mishaps. Drunk driving is one of the major reasons for road mishaps during the festival. We are also issuing a general appeal asking people not to drive vehicles– two and four-wheelers –under the influence of alcohol,” said a traffic police official.
“Many people get drunk during Holi and drive two-wheelers and four-wheelers resulting in accidents. The Transport Department in coordination with the police will take action against those found flouting the order. We urge people not to drink and drive. People can sit at home or anywhere and celebrate the festival but we won’t allow anyone to flout rules on the roads,” the official said.
“Apart from the breath analyzers, patrol units of different police stations which move around the city to keep a vigil on people driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Chances of road mishaps increase manifold due to rash driving. So it will be wise to rein in the offenders by conducting checks at different places of the city. Constables have been asked to be strict against such offenders,” the official further said.
