Overloaded Bus Intercepted and Seized in Pilibhit During Holi Safety Drive
A private bus transporting 106 passengers from Haridwar to Lakhimpur Kheri was intercepted and seized at Assam crossing on the outskirts of Pilibhit city on Monday morning. The vehicle was operating against its approved capacity of only 54 passengers, raising serious safety concerns.
Severe Safety Violations and Immediate Actions
Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Virendra Singh confirmed that the bus, registered in Amroha district with the number UP-22T9128, was in police custody. A penalty of Rs 21,000 has been imposed on the owner for the violations. The passengers were provided with two private buses to continue their journey, with all expenses borne by the owner of the seized bus.
Singh explained that the bus owner had procured a temporary route permit for travel between Haridwar and Lakhimpur Kheri. "This permit is strictly for group bookings by a single party and not for individual passenger services," he emphasized, highlighting the misuse of the permit.
Critical Risks to Passenger Safety
The overloaded conditions posed extreme dangers. According to officials, 20–25 passengers were seated on the roof of the bus, particularly hazardous when passing through forested stretches between Pilibhit and Kheri. "Tree branches from both sides overlap the road in considerable stretches, which could have hit the passengers and caused serious injuries," Singh stated.
Inside the bus, passengers were packed up to the front windscreen, obstructing the driver's visibility and creating a high risk of a severe accident. This overcrowding compromised both passenger and road safety significantly.
Broader Safety Campaign and Additional Penalties
The seizure was part of a special safety drive launched during Holi by road transport authorities. Over the weekend, 10 private buses faced punitive actions, with four being seized outright. Among these:
- Two buses had permits to operate in Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh but were fined Rs 22,000 each, plus Uttar Pradesh road tax of Rs 18,500.
- A third bus violated road permit norms and was fined Rs 11,000.
- The fourth bus, seized for overcrowding and permit violations, received a penalty of Rs 22,000.
Additionally, challans were issued against six other buses for overloading passengers, resulting in a cumulative fine of Rs 80,000. This campaign underscores the authorities' commitment to enforcing road safety regulations and preventing accidents during festive periods.
