KATHMANDU: Over 9,000 vehicles have been taken under control and arrested 21 drivers for driving under influence (DUI) in the three weeks of lockdown.

According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), the vehicle passes of all the arrested drivers were also terminated.

SSP Bhim Prasad Dhakal said the traffic system had been tightened since Thursday as it was found that more people were violating lockdown without any emergency, The Rising Nepal reported.

The government has imposed a nationwide lockdown to control the transmission of the coronavirus pandemic, and some people who managed to get the vehicle pass from the District Administration Offices were found driving under influence of alcohol by misusing the passes, SSP Dhakal said.

“The lockdown has been strictly implemented since Thursday,” SSP Dhakal said. Some 500 vehicles were brought under control on Thursday alone, he added.

According to SSP Dhakal, except for the vehicles carrying food items and medicines, private and government cars as well as vehicles of the press are also questioned about the purpose of their travel.

Currently, some 1400 traffic police personnel are on duty in the Kathmandu Valley.