Pvt bus operators openly flout norms, install curtains

Tribune News Service

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Bathinda, May 14

Despite a complete ban on the use of curtains in all private and tourist buses, a number of buses with curtains installed in them are plying on city roads. Surprisingly, the traffic authorities and Regional Transport Authority employees are letting these buses ply without any intervention.

A visit by the Bathinda Tribune team to the city bus stand reveals that almost every fourth bus parked at the bus stand has curtains installed in them. Besides, it has also been learnt that a majority of the curtains installed in those buses which belong to private bus operators.

It is pertinent to mention here that after the 2012 Delhi gang-rape, the government has come out with some strict norms to boost safety and security in the public and private transport. Unfortunately, with the passage of time the authorities concerned forget to curb the violation.

Baltej Singh, president of the private mini-bus union, said, “After the direction came from the Transport Department we have immediately removed black or tinted glasses from buses. Besides, one can hardly found a mini-bus having curtains installed in them.”

He further stated that buses belonged to political leaders were openly flouting the norms. They have installed curtains in their buses and even if the entire glass was not tinted, the operators paste a broad strip of coloured film strategically that hide the face of passengers. Unfortunately, neither the traffic authorities nor the transport department paid any heed to stop them.

Harvinder Singh (Happy), president of private bus-operators, said, “If the authorities concerned take action against all bus-operators, including Volvo buses, then we do not have any problem to remove curtains from our buses as well.”

When contacted, DSP (traffic) Gurpreet Singh, said, “We often issue challans to bus-operators who violate traffic norms. Besides, we ensure that none of the public or private buses ply on city roads while installing curtains in them.”