In a striking instance of administrative delay, the speed monitoring system of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Nagpur has remained non-operational for nearly four months, significantly weakening enforcement against overspeeding on city roads and highways.
Interceptor vehicles deployed by the transport department to check traffic violations have effectively been rendered idle, as the speed guns installed in these vehicles have not undergone mandatory calibration. Under existing regulations, uncalibrated devices cannot be used for enforcement, bringing action against overspeeding motorists to a complete halt and raising serious concerns about road safety.
Officials cite expired maintenance contract Assistant Regional Transport Officer Santosh Kumar Katkar acknowledged the issue and attributed the situation to the expiry of the Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) with the company that supplied the speed guns.
According to Katkar, the responsibility for maintaining and calibrating the devices was earlier handled by the Transport Commissioner’s office but has now been transferred to the local RTO.
“We are currently searching for a new company that can undertake the calibration of the speed guns. Our priority is to appoint a firm based in Nagpur so that such delays can be avoided in the future,” he said.
Interceptor vehicles rendered ineffective
The transport department’s interceptor vehicles, typically Scorpio models equipped with advanced enforcement technology, were introduced to curb traffic violations. These vehicles carry several specialised devices designed to monitor and penalise errant motorists on highways and major city roads.
However, with the AMC expiring and no fresh agreement in place, the mandatory calibration of the speed guns has not been carried out. Without calibration, the use of these devices becomes legally invalid, forcing authorities to suspend their operation.
Major setback to road safety enforcement
Road safety experts say the prolonged inactivity of interceptor vehicles has dealt a serious blow to traffic enforcement in Nagpur. The vehicles had earlier played a key role in detecting overspeeding and deterring reckless driving.
With the system lying dormant for months due to administrative delays, many motorists are reportedly driving at high speeds with little fear of penalties, potentially increasing the risk of accidents on major roads and highways.
Key features of interceptor vehicles
The interceptor vehicles are equipped with several modern devices aimed at ensuring strict compliance with traffic laws:
- Speed Gun: Measures the speed of moving vehicles with precision.
- Breath Analyzer: Detects alcohol consumption to prevent drunk driving.
- Dark Film Checker: Identifies illegal dark films installed on vehicle windows.
Traffic safety advocates warn that unless the calibration issue is resolved urgently, the absence of effective speed monitoring could undermine ongoing efforts to reduce road accidents and enforce traffic discipline in the city.
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