Rs 3.4 lakh fine imposed
Excelsior Correspondent
Kathua, June 24. In a bid to improve road discipline and safety, a team of MVD Kathua under Regional Transport officer Kathua, Dr. Raj K. Thapa launched massive drive in district Kathua during the last three days. A total of eight vehicles have been seized and fine to the tune of Rs 3.40 lakh was imposed during last two days. A total of 405 Vehicles were checked, out of which 94 were challaned and 41 compounded.
The vehicles operating as school buses were special focus of the drive as a result of which four vans/buses operating as school buses without following guidelines of Supreme Court Committee on road safety were seized.
The RTO stated that the Supreme Court Committee on road safety has delineated specific measures to be adopted by bus operator/schools to be eligible for use as school bus. The mandatory provisions, among others include installation of First Aid Box, fixation of horizontal grills on windows provision of fire extinguisher, school name and telephone on the bus, space for school bags under seats, speed limit of 40 kms/h and fitment of speed limiting device, provision of attendant with uniform and driver with uniform and name plate, color code (golden yellow) of the vehicle etc. Dr Thapa informed that the school administration has primary responsibility to oversee that their school children travel in only prescribed mode of transport to ensure their safety.
He said that a total fine of Rs. 34.49 lakh has so far been realized in the current year (since April 2019) from traffic violators under MV Act. A total of Rs. 1.32 crores was collected as fine from such traffic violators during the last financial year. The MVD Kathua will further intensify the enforcement of MV Act in the District and the figure of fine is likely to increase during the current year. He disclosed that deaths from road accidents have decreased from 83 in the year 2017 to 70 in the year 2018 and were further going down in 2019.
Follow our WhatsApp channel