Brahmapur: A private passenger bus operating in Odisha’s Ganjam district has been slapped with a hefty fine of Rs 8,40,163 after transport officials found multiple serious violations, including unpaid road tax for around three years.
According to information, the bus was also operating without fitness certification, insurance, pollution certificate, and a valid driving licence of the driver.
Officials said the bus, ‘Jayashree’ with Registration No. OD-19-R-4597), was intercepted by traffic police near the National Highway at Chhatrapur while travelling from Berhampur to Chhatrapur. During the inspection, authorities found that the vehicle had not paid road tax since 2023.
Further verification showed that the bus was operating without a valid fitness certificate, Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, insurance coverage, and the driver was allegedly driving without a valid driving licence, raising serious concerns over passenger safety.
The Ganjam Regional Transport Office (RTO) issued the challan in the name of the vehicle owner. The penalty includes Rs 8,05,163 towards unpaid road tax, Rs 10,000 for not having a valid pollution certificate, Rs 5,000 for the driver not possessing a valid driving licence, and Rs 5,000 for violations related to vehicle registration and fitness, taking the total penalty to Rs 8,40,163.
The bus has been seized and shifted to the Driving Testing Centre at Agasti Nuagaon. The vehicle will be released only after the owner clears the entire penalty amount and complies with all statutory requirements, officials said.