Day of revelry ends with challans

Friday night's Diwali revellers included many who zipped across the city roads in their drunken state. The trip for 175 people ended as soon as the Delhi traffic police nabbed them and slapped fines in its drive to curb drink driving during the festival.

Friday night's Diwali revellers included many who zipped across the city roads in their drunken state. The trip for 175 people ended as soon as the Delhi traffic police nabbed them and slapped fines in its drive to curb drink driving during the festival.

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The traffic police conducted the drive throughout Thursday evening and Friday.

"We penalised 175 people for drink driving. Deployment of traffic personnel was done according to requirement. Overall there were not many problems during Diwali," said joint commissioner of police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg.

This year, however, more people have been caught in the last 15 days leading to Diwali than in 2009.

Around 712 people were been booked this year compared to 480 people who were challaned for drink driving last year during this period. The traffic police regularly undertakes crackdown against drink driving throughout the year.

According to senior police officers, the increase in the number of challans is because of the increase in the number of traffic personnel.

The police said there has been an increase in the number of challans due to their chase and challan policy.

"Our men on motorcycles are always on the move and stationed at intersections all over the city," added the traffic police officer.