Panjim, Margao top list of most erring drivers, conductors
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 13
Panjim and Margao cities top the list of 900-odd cases booked by transport department during its ongoing drive against erring drivers and conductors.
The drive, which kicked off on October 1, has till date booked 930 cases across the state, with Transport Department issuing 611 challans.
Surprisingly, the enforcers have found major violations in the state’s two major cities – Panjim and Margao. The department has registered 470 cases and has issued 410 challans under Motor Vehicles Act.
“The drive helped in throwing light on the actual private bus scenario in the state. Within a week we managed to crack 900 odd cases,” Transport Director Arun Desai said.
In the capital city alone, the department has registered 260 cases, with director expecting more number of cases in days to come. “Though the drive yielded good response but there are few who obey rules only after seeing enforcement party but later continue with violations enroute,” he stated.
The challans have been mostly issued for overloading, non-production of documents, non-wearing of uniforms and absence of fare tables.
“It’s difficult to have control over overloading of buses. Here you just can’t blame drivers and conductors. Public are equally responsible as everyone is in hurry to go to office, school, market or home. But the drive has come out with some positive points like closing of doors while plying and non consumption of alcohol and tobacco while on duty,” Desai said.
Though the drive was initiated taking private bus operators into confidence to weed out irregularities in their business, but now it seems that the drive have created a rift. Many private bus operators feel that the drive is like department’s dictatorship on the road.
