Nagpur RTO Launches Major Ambulance Safety Enforcement Drive
In a significant crackdown on regulatory non-compliance, the Regional Transport Offices (RTO) of Nagpur City and Nagpur East conducted an intensive week-long enforcement drive targeting emergency medical vehicles. The special campaign, which ran from February 22 to 27, saw officials inspect a total of 339 ambulances operating across the city to ensure strict adherence to mandatory safety and documentation standards.
Widespread Violations Uncovered During Inspections
During the comprehensive inspections, enforcement teams discovered numerous violations of the Motor Vehicles Act provisions. Officials issued electronic challans to 60 ambulances found operating without proper documentation or with expired certificates, collecting a substantial compounding fee of Rs 4.75 lakh in penalties. More seriously, three ambulances were immediately detained at the RTO premises for grave violations and will only be released after full compliance with all prescribed norms.
The enforcement drive was executed under the direct supervision of Regional Transport Officer Kiran Bidkar and Deputy RTO Avinash Raut, who emphasized the critical importance of maintaining roadworthy emergency vehicles. The inspection teams, comprising Motor Vehicle Inspectors Dhanshyam Kharate, Satish Navghare, Bhushan More, and Archana Thongavankar, along with Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors Rahul Bangar, Omkar Megram, Sute Nagpure, and Viplav Tiwari, conducted thorough verifications of all statutory requirements.
Comprehensive Document and Fitness Checks Conducted
Officials revealed that the inspections focused primarily on two key areas: verification of statutory documents and assessment of mechanical fitness. Under Section 56 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, every ambulance must possess a valid Fitness Certificate to operate legally on public roads. Enforcement teams meticulously checked multiple documents including:
- Valid Fitness Certificates
- Current insurance policies
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates
- Proper vehicle permits
- Valid driving licences of ambulance drivers
Vehicles found operating without these essential documents or with expired certificates faced immediate penalties as per legal provisions. RTO authorities stressed that ambulances frequently operate in densely populated urban areas and are deployed in life-saving emergency situations, making compliance with safety norms absolutely crucial for public safety.
Long-Term Enforcement Pattern and Industry Outreach
This recent drive forms part of a broader pattern of sustained enforcement activities. According to RTO data, between April 2025 and February 2026, flying squads have taken action against 78 ambulances in Nagpur city alone, resulting in the recovery of Rs 6.16 lakh in compounding fees. These regular inspections demonstrate the transport department's ongoing commitment to improving compliance rates among emergency service providers.
In a proactive move to enhance industry-wide compliance, the RTO has formally written to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Nagpur chapter, urging the organization to advise private hospitals and medical practitioners within their network to ensure timely renewal of fitness certificates and strict adherence to all transport regulations. This collaborative approach aims to create systemic improvements rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
Transport officials emphasized that any mechanical failure or regulatory lapse in ambulance operations can endanger not only patients being transported but also other road users. The sustained enforcement drives are strategically designed to improve overall compliance levels and ensure that all ambulances operating on Nagpur's roads remain safe, reliable, and legally fit to perform their critical emergency functions. The RTO has committed to continuing such targeted enforcement activities to maintain high safety standards for emergency medical transportation services throughout the city.
