Nagpur: In a major crackdown against intoxicated driving and rising road fatalities, the Nagpur Traffic Police has launched an aggressive enforcement drive under its ongoing “Operation U-Turn” campaign, targeting motorists driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In what is being described as one of the city’s most technologically advanced traffic enforcement actions, police have begun using modern on-the-spot drug detection kits to identify drivers consuming narcotic substances before taking the wheel.
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May 11- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
High-intensity action near Hotel Pride Chowk
As part of the city police’s “Zero Fatality” mission aimed at reducing deadly road accidents, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Squad No. 2 conducted a special late-night nakabandi near Hotel Pride Chowk on Saturday.
During the operation, officers stopped several vehicles and carried out checks not only for alcohol consumption but also for drug abuse using newly introduced saliva-based drug testing kits. Police officials said this is possibly the first time in Nagpur that advanced roadside drug-testing technology has been deployed during traffic enforcement.
Driver tests positive for cannabis consumption
During the checking drive, police personnel noticed suspicious behaviour by one of the motorists and subjected him to testing using the portable drug detection machine.
According to officials, the driver’s saliva sample tested positive for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive substance associated with cannabis consumption. The test confirmed that the driver had allegedly consumed ganja before driving.
Police stated that driving under the influence of narcotic substances poses a grave threat not only to the driver but also to innocent commuters and pedestrians on the road.
“Driving while intoxicated endangers human lives and turns roads into death traps. With the help of modern technology, such offenders will no longer be able to escape detection,” a police official said.
Following the positive test result, the accused driver was taken into custody and handed over to Sonegaon Police Station, where a case was registered for endangering public safety. Further investigation is underway.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Lohit Matani said the department has intensified its campaign against reckless and intoxicated driving as part of efforts to make Nagpur’s roads safer.
He stated that the introduction of advanced drug detection kits marks a significant step in the city police’s road safety initiative and warned that stricter enforcement drives will continue across Nagpur in the coming days.
Police have also appealed to citizens to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, warning that violators could face criminal action and imprisonment under the intensified campaign.
