Cuttack, March 25: Police today slapped fines on over 25 people for violating traffic rules on Ranihat road in the city.

The police launched the drive to streamline traffic on the busy stretch a day after The Telegraph had published a report highlighting the problems faced by commuters on Tuesday.

A senior official said a joint squad consisting of officials of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, electricity department and the Cuttack Development Authority has been formed to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic.

Besides, the squad has been empowered to conduct on-spot assessment of the traffic situation and take necessary measures to resolve various issues in the larger interest of the commuters. "We have cleared over 20 illegal encroachments and also penalised violators for illegal parking," said assistant commissioner of police (traffic) P.K. Dalai.

Dalai said four heavy vehicles were also penalised for entering the no-entry zone.

A fine of Rs 12,000 was realised during the joint enforcement drive that was carried on from College Square to Ranihat.

Sources said many shops selling electronics as well as other household articles had encroached upon the main road. They have been penalised. Moreover, the shop owners have been asked to make necessary arrangements for parking in front of their shops.

On March 19, the police had launched a massive crackdown on traffic violators at Badambadi. At that time, the cops had penalised over 290 violators and a fine of Rs 48,000 had been realised during the drive. Besides, nine persons were held for allegedly extorting money from various long-route private buses entering the Badambadi bus terminus. Sources said the accused were forcibly collecting money ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500.

Out of the total 290 violators, 264 persons had been booked for not wearing helmets, triple-riding and other violations and slapped a fine of Rs 100 each.

Besides, around 24 autorickshaws and four buses had been detained, and subsequently, fined Rs 500 each for illegal parking.