Visakhapatnam sees decline in road accidents and crimes in 2024, says Police Commissioner

Visakhapatnam sees decline in road accidents and crimes in 2024, attributed to police crackdown and enforcement efforts.

Road accidents and crimes (bodily offences) have seen a decline during the year 2024, compared to the previous year in Visakhapatnam city.

During the year 2024, the city saw as many as 1,094 road accidents, as against 1,180 accidents during the year 2023 and 1,353 in the year 2022.

Police Commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi attributed it to cracking down on motor vehicle violations, intensifying drunken drive checking, taking up road engineering activities, bringing back traffic signals and other works.

Addressing the annual crime review meeting, he said that as many as 8.72 lakh traffic enforcement cases were booked in 2024, as against 6.34 lakh during 2023. As many as 33,707 drunken driving cases were booked this year, as against 21,376 last year. About 5.03 lakh no-helmet cases were booked, as against 3.71 lakh cases, he said. He also said that crimes like murders and murder for gain have seen a decline.

During the year 2024, the city police have registered as many as 313 NDPS cases in which 718 persons were arrested and 5,024 kg ganja was seized. During the year 2023, as many as 235 ganja cases were booked and around 4,700 kg ganja was seized. PD Act was invoked against two persons and 52 sheets were opened against NDPS accused. Canine dogs are being used for checking at various places, Mr. Shankabrata Bagchi said.

During the year 2024, though there was a slight decline in the cybercrime cases, the property lost has seen an increase in the city. A total of 364 cybercrime cases were registered in 2024. Around ₹115 crore was lost in these cybercrimes. During the year 2023, about 419 cybercrime cases were reported in which around ₹33 crore was lost.

Deputy Commissioner of Police V. Ajitha and other officials were present.