In a major crackdown on road safety violations, transport authorities in Sambalpur have seized a private bus and imposed a staggering fine of Rs 2.19 lakh. The action came after officials discovered a shocking list of breaches during a routine check on Sunday night, including the bus operating without a valid driving licence, insurance, and fitness certificate while transporting schoolchildren.
Multiple Violations Uncovered During Routine Check
The bus was intercepted by the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Sambalpur, at Ainthapali. It was travelling from Belpahar in Jharsuguda district to Hirakud, carrying 24 schoolchildren for a picnic. Following a thorough verification of documents, the RTO team, led by Ramdas Tudu, initiated action against both the driver and the conductor.
The list of violations was extensive. The driver was fined Rs 5,000 for operating the vehicle without a valid driving licence. A penalty of Rs 10,000 was levied for breaches of air and noise pollution norms. The bus itself lacked a valid registration and fitness certificate, attracting another Rs 5,000 fine.
Further penalties included Rs 10,000 for operating without a valid permit and Rs 2,000 for plying without insurance. However, the most significant component of the challan was a massive Rs 1.87 lakh imposed for alleged tax evasion under the Motor Vehicles Act.
An Old Vehicle with Pending Taxes
Official sources revealed that the impounded vehicle was about 25 years old and was mostly operated as a tourist bus. RTO Tudu stated that upon verification, it was found that the bus owners had not paid motor vehicle taxes since November 2024, leading to the highest penalty.
"We stopped and checked the vehicle moving from Belpahar carrying 24 passengers. The vehicle does not possess valid fitness, insurance, and other permits, resulting in the imposition of penalty and its impounding," Tudu explained.
Road Safety Experts Raise Alarm
The incident has raised serious concerns among road safety advocates, who highlight the grave risk such negligent operations pose, especially when children are involved. Vehicles operating without mandatory certifications and documents are a significant threat to passenger safety.
Road safety activist PV Raman condemned the violations, calling them a reflection of serious negligence. He demanded strict action against vehicle owners who flout rules. "This is a sheer risk for the passengers. Owners of such vehicles should be penalised and should not be allowed to run any kind of buses," Raman asserted.
This enforcement action by the Sambalpur RTO underscores the critical need for strict compliance with transportation laws to ensure the safety of all road users, particularly vulnerable groups like schoolchildren.
