Chennai police have formed 13 special teams to curb bike racing, reckless driving and accidents across the city after a fatal crash and arrests linked to an alleged race in Kotturpuram. The teams will patrol roads and monitor known hotspots between 10 pm and 2 am every day.
The move follows an incident in which a speeding two-wheeler reportedly crashed into the retaining wall of a flyover in Kotturpuram during a bike race. Srikugan, a mechanic who was thrown from the vehicle, died in the crash. The incident prompted senior police officials to direct personnel to intensify surveillance and take stringent action against dangerous driving.
According to the report, more than 60 youngsters were reportedly involved in reckless bike racing in parts of Chennai, including Kodambakkam, Nungambakkam and Kotturpuram, two days before the special teams were formed. Sixteen people allegedly involved in the race were subsequently arrested.
Each of the 13 teams will comprise four police personnel and will be headed by a Sub-Inspector. Their deployment will cover locations identified as bike-racing hotspots, major roads and stretches where accidents have been reported. The teams will conduct night patrols and surveillance during the specified hours, when such activity is more likely to take place.
Police said the teams would closely monitor youngsters suspected of participating in bike racing and reckless driving. Officers will take action against those found violating traffic rules or endangering other road users, according to the report.
The enforcement plan places the response across multiple parts of the city rather than limiting it to the location of the fatal crash. Kodambakkam, Nungambakkam and Kotturpuram have been identified in connection with recent incidents, while the teams will also watch major roads and accident-prone stretches across Chennai.
The reported action comes amid a series of police interventions involving dangerous riding in the city. Earlier reports cited arrests of people allegedly involved in bike stunts along Anna Salai and an investigation into a student’s fatal fall from a flyover near IIT-Madras. The latest deployment adds dedicated personnel and fixed night patrol timings to the police response.
The teams are expected to continue surveillance from 10 pm to 2 am, with enforcement directed at illegal racing, reckless driving and other conduct that threatens road users. Police have said that appropriate action will be taken against violators.
