Delhi sees 98% rise in prosecutions for wrong-side driving

Prosecutions for wrong-side driving rose by 98 per cent, and challans for unauthorised parking went up by 36.5 per cent in Delhi in the first six months of 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year, according to official data.

The police intensified enforcement after a push from Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

The enforcement figures were reviewed by Sandhu during a meeting attended by the commissioner of police, special commissioner of police (traffic), joint commissioners of police (traffic) and deputy commissioners of police (traffic).

The LG also directed the traffic police to maintain sustained enforcement and strict action against riding without helmets and triple riding on two-wheelers.

According to the data, challans for wrong-side driving increased from 1,72,897 between Jan 1 and June 25, 2025, to 3,42,381 during the corresponding period this year, registering a 98 per cent increase.

While prosecutions for unauthorised parking rose by 36.5 per cent, from 7,78,258 to 10,62,350 in the same period.

Police also registered 2,033 FIRs for driving on the wrong side between January 1 and June 25 this year, indicating stricter criminal enforcement against the dangerous traffic violation, the data showed. The Eastern Range, comprising some of the city’s most congested and crowded roads and commercial areas, recorded the highest proportional increase in action against wrong-side driving.