Cops seize 2 bikes with modified silencers in Park Circus, fine riders
Times of India | 9 January 2025
12 Kolkata: The Park Circus Traffic Guard has seized two motorcycles in Beniapukur and Karaya and fined the owners for modifying the bikes' silencers and riding down the roads with a blasting noise. While one of the riders was charged Rs 5,000 for being caught the first time, the other was fined Rs 10,000 for being a repeat offender.
"Since the time-frame of keeping vehicles seized is left to the DC traffic's discretion, we have decided not to release the bikes locally to send across a strong message," said a senior Lalbazar officer. The action was taken on Monday and Tuesday, around 10 days after Kolkata Traffic Police instructed all 26 the guards to crack down on riders, garage mechanics and sellers for modified motorbike silencers and noisy horns.
Police said bikes were also seized from other parts, including south Kolkata. "We rounded up two garage owners for riding modified bikes in Behala and Mukundapur," said an officer. Earlier, police took action against bike owners for the illegal modifications but they have now started penalising those helping in the tweaks, and so, mechanics were hauled up.
Traffic police caught 67 bikers last year for riding "roaring" motorcycles after modifying silencers. Seizures were launched following the recent Lalbazar order, said police, adding every guard had prosecuted three-four bikers.
"The problem is acute in central and south Kolkata, like Beniapukur, Taltala, Kidderpore, Park Circus and Bhowanipore," said a Park Circus Traffic Guard sergeant. Sergeants are using two different sections of the Motor Vehicles Act for noise pollution and violation of RTO rules. While the noise pollution section can attract a fine up to Rs 1,500, if someone deliberately tampers with and changes company settings, he or she can be charged an amount no less than Rs 5,000. "Both sections are being used by traffic sergeants," said an OC from a North Kolkata Traffic Guard.
A few senior officers recently faced the nuisance themselves, prompting the crackdown order by commissioner Manoj Verma. "We are sending daily updates to Lalbazar," said an ACP, adding the drive would be on for now. Police said modified silencers of different shapes and sizes installed in motorcycles had turned into a nuisance across the city, leading to multiple complaints on social media as well as in written format. The loud, thumping noise from the bikes also reduced the vehicles' efficiency and was a big safety hazard, said an officer.
Kolkata Police has also decided to heed to netizens' suggestion of following the Pune Police model, in which errant riders are asked to sign an affidavit. "Apart from penalising riders, we are taking an affidavit from them about the sellers of these tweaked devices so that we can prosecute the sellers, too," said an officer.