The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) has initiated action against the traffic law violators after receiving a high number of complaints on its hotline number.

The MTPD on Sunday booked 189 vehicles, including three-wheelers and microbuses, at 40 locations in Kathmandu for carrying more passengers than their capacity.

DSP Mukunda Marasini of the MTPD said errant drivers were fined Rs500 this time. “The penalty was less severe this time. But consequences will be bigger if they continue flouting the traffic rules,” DSP Marasini. The Traffic Police swung into action after a meeting chaired by Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa last Wednesday discussed the issues related to traffic problems in the Capital.

The MTPD had started slapping fines on three-wheeler tempos on Thursday for carrying more passengers than their capacity. Similarly, 119 taxis have been booked until Sunday afternoon for not following the meter system.

According to the MTPD, violation of traffic law has always been a major issue in Kathmandu. About 35,000 complaints against traffic violation have been recorded on traffic hotline number 103 alone in the fiscal year of 2017-2018.

The most number of complaints are about illegal parking on footpaths. Of the total complaints, 26,108 complaints were illegal parking on the footpaths and blocking the roads. At 6,680, vehicles charging higher than the set fares constitutes the second highest complaints, the MTPD said.

Also high on the list is the number of complaints about vehicle theft. “We have received complaints about 1,118 motorbike and 20 four-wheelers theft during this period,” said Marasini, claiming that they managed to recover 40 percent of the stolen vehicles.

The MTPD data shows 522 hit and run cases in the metropolis during this period, highlighting the fact that road accidents are still a major issue.

Home Minister Thapa has instructed the officials concerned to increase the penalty amount to curb the menace. The Department of Transport Management has started the process to increase the fine amount from Rs3,000 to Rs5,000 soon, officials said.