Kupwara, July 19: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) launched a major enforcement drive in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday, issuing e-challans to 116 vehicles and blacklisting 35 for various traffic violations. Fines amounting to ₹2.10 lakh were collected under the Motor Vehicles Act during the day-long operation.
Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Kupwara, Mohammad Shafait (JKAS), said the drive covered key routes including Kupwara–Lolab, Tangdhar, Sopore, Sogam, Kralpora, Kalaroos, and Handwara, checking over 350 vehicles.
Common violations included over-speeding, failure to wear seatbelts or helmets, overcharging passengers, absence of Speed Limiting Devices (SLDs), missing High-Security Registration Plates (HSRPs), and plying without valid route permits.
The department also recommended suspension of six driving licenses and three road permits. The crackdown was conducted under the directions of J&K Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan.
ARTO Shafait stated that such surprise drives will continue to promote road safety and ensure strict compliance with traffic laws. The operation was executed by MVI Waheed Ul Islam, MVI Karan Kumar, AMVI Arun Kaw, and SMVI Adil Ahmad under his direct supervision.
