Thoothukudi traffic police step up checks against goods vehicles entering city during restricted hours

The Thoothukudi traffic police have intensified enforcement against heavy goods vehicles entering the city during restricted hours, following complaints of traffic congestion during school hours, with around 30 vehicles seized and fines totalling about ₹1 lakh imposed over the past three days.

Heavy vehicles and goods vehicles are prohibited from entering Thoothukudi city between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. However, several goods vehicles continue to enter the city during the restricted hours to load and unload goods.

As these violations have been causing severe traffic disruptions in several places, Thoothukudi traffic wing police have intensified vehicle checks over the past three days. In particular, when goods vehicles stop on roads to load and unload commodities during the hours when the school students travel to and return from school, they cause traffic congestion, affecting traffic movement in the area.

Following the reopening of schools on Monday after the quarterly vacation, the traffic police intensified checks at several points during the morning and evening hours to prevent heavy goods vehicles from violating the restrictions.

According to a traffic wing police official, around 30 heavy goods vehicles that entered the city during the restricted hours were seized and fines were imposed. A total fine of around ₹1 lakh was subsequently imposed. The vehicles were released only after the fines were paid and during the permitted hours.

The traffic police have warned that similar action will continue and urged the heavy goods vehicle operators not to enter the city during the restricted morning and evening hours.