PANJIM: Cracking the whip on the illegal hire of vehicles to tourists, Transport Department has seized around 50 vehicles and suspended the registration of 15 two-wheelers and six cars for four months.

The action taken in just one month, will continue. This is the first time that the department has resorted to mass suspension of registrations under Section 50 of Motor Vehicles Act.

Transport Director Nikhil Desai said the action was taken by Assistant Director of Transport Iva D’Souza, indicating the illegality is rampant in the tourist popular coastal belt.

“Further action and drive against all violators will be expedited in the coming days, especially on weekends when this problem is found to be at its peak. As per initial reports the drive has had its desired effect with many private car operators approaching Transport Department to regularise their vehicles under the rent-a-cab scheme and also keeping their cars off the road,” Desai said.

As per the Act, vehicles used illegally for commercial purposes are liable for suspension of registration during which period the vehicles cannot be driven on public roads.

Transport Department gave details of a few case, stating that a car owned by a Calangute resident had been hired at the rate of Rs 1,200 per day. The department has suspended the vehicle’s registration for 120 days and the owner has been directed him to park the vehicle at his residence during this period and surrender the registration number plates of the vehicles in the office of the Assistant Director of Transport, Mapusa.

Another car owner from Nagoa, admitted hiring the vehicle at the rate of Rs 1,000 per day. He also pleaded guilty and the department has pronounced the same verdict, so too with a car owner from Arpora who admitted hiring the vehicle at Rs 300 per day. 

The owner of a two-wheeler admitted hiring the bike at Rs 300 per day. The Candolim resident pleaded guilty with the department issuing the same order to him as well.