Odisha’s State Transport Authority Warns Action Against Fraudulent Collection Of Fines

Cuttack: The State Transport Authority (STA) has warned of stringent action against collection of money from vehicle drivers on the pretext of conducting road safety drives.

The STA has instructed Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to take action if such incidents come to their notice. “No one has been granted permission to engage in such activities, and vehicle owners or drivers should neither trust nor pay these individuals,” Joint Transport Commissioner (road safety) Pradeep Kumar Mohanty said in a press statement.

This direction came after the transport officials amid media reports about some persons in Sundargarh district collecting money from vehicle drivers under the false impression of conducting road safety.

Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur has directed Sundargarh RTO to take the matter seriously and lodge a complaint with the police against those involved in such activities.

The STA has urged the public to report such incidents to RTOs.

It is being suspected that the fraudsters are members of an inter-state gang, targeting commercial vehicles, added sources.