Team Herald
PANJIM: The Traffic Department has booked the driver of a private bus for violating traffic rules as he was filmed using his mobile phone while driving from Panjim KTC Bus Stand to Santa Cruz route.
The department swung into action after the video, which subsequently went viral, was on Tuesday uploaded by former MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker on his Twitter account requesting Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to act against the errant driver.
Dr Sawant, on Wednesday morning, responded to the tweet that necessary action was initiated.
“We have booked the driver under Section 184 of Motor Vehicles Act for speaking/using the mobile phone while driving. We have also recommended to the Transport Department to suspend his driving licence,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (North Traffic) Dharmesh Angle told Herald.
While it is not known when the video was taken, the unidentified bus commuter has filmed the gross traffic violation (1.11 minute long) on his mobile phone which also covered the bus registration number GA-01-T-9380.
Earlier in his post, Kuncalienker stated, “Driver of this public bus on route from KTC Bus Stand to Santa Cruz is working on mobile while driving on road along People’s HS, #Panaji. Request CM & Min T’port @DrPramodPSawant to take immediate action & suspend driving licence of driver along with bus route permit.”
The chief minister replied assuring that “Necessary action has been initiated in this matter. We must follow traffic rules for safety of everyone.”
Asked whether the department would act to suspend the bus permit, Angle said no such recommendation has been sent to the Transport Department.
