Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced strict action against the illegal practice of carrying passengers in goods vehicles following a tragic accident in Titlagarh in which three children lost their lives.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena expressed deep sorrow over the fatal accident and directed officials to take stringent measures against those violating road safety rules. He has ordered for a crackdown on the dangerous and illegal practice of transporting passengers in cargo vehicles.
Meanwhile, the pickup van, involved in the Titlagarh accident, was found to be operating without a valid fitness certificate and insurance. The vehicle had also been repeatedly fined for various traffic violations. Following which, the state transport authorities decided to cancel the vehicle’s registration certificate and initiate steps to scrap it under the Motor Vehicles Act. “The Vehicle OD03Q4284 has been examined by the Jr MVI, Office of RTO, Balangir. I have gone through the said report wherefrom it is found that the said Motor 1 Vehicle has been completely destroyed and permanently incapable of use upon public road,” the office order issued by Regional Transport Office, read.
Minister Jena has instructed that similar strict action will be taken in the future against all goods vehicles found carrying passengers, as this practice endangers the lives of the people.
To enforce these rules effectively, a special statewide enforcement drive has been launched. Special teams have been formed at the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) level across Odisha. This intensified enforcement campaign will continue until May 8.
Briefing the media, additional Transport Commissioner (Road Safety) Diptiranjan Patra stated that compliance with motor vehicle rules is mandatory for all vehicles plying on the roads. He emphasised that carrying passengers in goods vehicles is illegal and poses a serious safety risk. Patra appealed to vehicle owners and operators to immediately stop this illegal practice to avoid strict legal action.
The Odisha Transport Department has made it clear that it will adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards such violations to ensure road safety and prevent loss of innocent lives.
