At least 216 people have been arrested in different parts of Odisha for drunk driving.
Arrests were made and driving licenses of 138 people were suspended during a joint operation by the transport department and the state police.
Out of 2,600 breathalyzer tests across the state on Saturday night, 251 were found to be driving after consuming alcohol. A total of 216 people were arrested, the official said.
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, a first-time offender is liable to imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine of up to Rs 10,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol. A second offence, if repeated within two years, is punishable with imprisonment for two years and/or a fine of Rs 15,000.
Authorities stopped testing people for alcohol after the COVID outbreak to avoid transmission, the official said.
As the number of Covid cases has reduced significantly, now the authorities have started conducting special operations against drunken driving, he added.
