Traffic police has launched a drive against school bus, auto and van operators who are blatantly violating the traffic norms and ferrying students more than their capacity. As many as 1076 vehicles were fined during the drive. However, the drive conducted in the morning session caused great inconvenience to students.
The drive was conducted across all the 10 traffic zones in city. DCP (traffic) Chinmay Pandit along with all senior officials of the department led the drive.
The drive started at 7 am on Friday. Traffic cops were stationed at different squares in the city. Alongside overcrowding, cops also checked documents, fitness certificates of vehicles, and adherence to traffic rules. In all, action was taken against 387 school buses, 329 vans and 360 autos. The traffic police department also requested parents and school authorities to verify documents and credentials of school buses, vans and auto-rickshaws.
Meanwhile, traffic police also drew sharp criticism from a section for conducting the drive in the morning when school buses, vans and autos were carrying students to school. Rajesh Paunikar said, it would have been much better had the drive was conducted after school timing. “To prevent action many auto drivers left students stranded midway. Many students reach schools on their own. Some changed their route and drove vehicle rashly to reach school on time. Police risked the safety of students by conducting the drive-in morning,†he said.
Paunikar also questioned, why no action is taken against government-run buses which ferry excess passengers and Overspeed in city limits. “Why no action is taken against ST buses. They are always overcrowded. School buses, vans and autos have become a soft target,†he said.
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