Over 11,600 Challans Issued in 10 Months; 2,965 licences recommended for suspension
Police have intensified their crackdown on drunk driving across the state, leading to the suspension of 258 driving licences as part of strict enforcement measures aimed at improving road safety.
According to official data, over ten months from January to October, the police issued 11,649 challans for driving under the influence of alcohol. In these cases, recommendations have been sent to suspend the licences of 2,965 drivers, while 1,027 motorists were arrested for drunk driving.
District-wise figures show that the highest number of licences were suspended in Mandi district, where action was taken against 69 drivers. This was followed by Shimla, with 39 suspensions, Chamba, with 38, Baddi police district, with 43, and Kinnaur, with 24. Other districts where licences were suspended include Kullu (10), Solan (11), Hamirpur (six), Kangra (five), Dehra police district (seven), Bilaspur (two), Sirmaur (two), and Una and Lahaul-Spiti with one suspension each.
| District / Police District | Suspended Licences |
|---|---|
| Mandi | 69 |
| Baddi Police District | 43 |
| Shimla | 39 |
| Chamba | 38 |
| Kinnaur | 24 |
| Solan | 11 |
| Kullu | 10 |
| Dehra Police District | 7 |
| Hamirpur | 6 |
| Kangra | 5 |
| Bilaspur | 2 |
| Sirmaur | 2 |
| Lahaul-Spiti | 1 |
| Una | 1 |
| Total | 258 |
Police records further reveal the scale of enforcement at the district level. In Baddi, 489 challans were issued and recommendations were made to suspend 107 licences. Bilaspur recorded 892 challans with 130 suspension recommendations, while Chamba issued 636 challans and recommended the suspension of 292 licences. In Dehra police district, 189 challans were issued with 33 licence suspension recommendations.
Hamirpur issued 511 challans and recommended the suspension of 126 licences, while Kangra recorded 1,201 challans and 235 suspension recommendations. In Kinnaur, police issued 253 challans and recommended suspension of 215 licences. Kullu recorded 837 challans with 71 suspension recommendations, while Lahaul-Spiti issued 192 challans and recommended suspension of 147 licences.
Mandi reported the highest enforcement action with 1,777 challans and recommendations to suspend 416 licences. In Police District Nurpur, 374 challans were issued and 98 licence suspensions were recommended. Shimla recorded 1,389 challans with 464 suspension recommendations, while Sirmaur issued 1,406 challans and recommended suspension of 179 licences. Solan recorded 1,143 challans and 302 suspension recommendations, and Una reported 360 challans with recommendations to suspend 150 licences.
Police analysis has shown that a significant number of road accidents in the state are linked to speeding, rash driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. In view of this, all District Superintendents of Police, along with the Traffic and Transport Regulation (TTR) unit, have been directed to further intensify enforcement drives against drunk driving under strict supervision.
