Joint naka checking drive held in Margherita to curb drunk driving

The Margherita Excise party, Margherita Police, and the Transport Department jointly conducted a naka checking drive on NH-315 at Margherita on Saturday evening to curb rampant cases of drunk driving.

The drive was led by Excise Inspector Nabajeet Buragohain, Sub-Inspector Shiva Kanta Das, and Transport Enforcement Inspector Babul Baruah, along with staff from the concerned departments.

During the operation, several drivers were found under the influence of alcohol and were fined on the spot. Officials reminded that under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988—amended in 2019—drunk driving attracts a fine of Rs 10,000 for a first offence and Rs 15,000 for repeat offences, along with possible imprisonment and suspension of driving licenses.

“This strict enforcement is aimed at deterring drunk driving and ensuring road safety,” Buragohain said.