Vehicles ply sans number plates in city

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 19

At a time when the police are facing criticism over the rise in street crime, many vehicles are plying without the mandatory registration number. It seems the Bathinda police are indifferent when it comes to take action against such vehicles.

Residents are of the view the police have become a mute spectator and do not take action against the violators. They say vehicles without number plates ply on city roads without any fear.

Many youngsters were seen riding motorcycles and cars with defective or fancy numbers plates, violating traffic rules in the city.

Vehicles without proper number plates are the biggest threat to law and order in the city. If any of these vehicles is used in a crime, it would become difficult for the police to trace it.

According to the rules, no person can ride a vehicle without the registration number plate. It is a punishable offence under Section 39 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, which empowers the RTO to impose a fine of up to Rs 5,000. Vehicle owners have to get the registration certificate (RC) after obtaining a temporary registration number that is valid only for taking the vehicle to get it registered at the RTA office.

Atul Garg, a city resident, said, “It is quite surprising that a large number of vehicles ply without number plates. Some of these even use pressure horns.”

Gurmeet Singh, another city resident, said, “The traffic police have to keep a strict vigil on the vehicles running without number plates in the city.”

 DSP Gurjit Singh Romana said, “Plying a vehicle without number plates is illegal and the owners will be issued a challan. Moreover, the vehicle can be seized during a checking. Emphasis is laid on taking action against vehicles running without a number plate or registration.”