No check on plying of unauthorised makeshift vehicles

Hundreds of unauthorised vehicles, popularly known as “gharuka”, “peter rehra”, motorcycle rehri, pose a threat to the lives of people, who commute on them. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, violation of speed limit, overloading, not wearing seatbelts, lack of pollution certificates and insurance attract fines and punishments for owners and drivers of authorised company-made vehicles. It’s strange that such rules don’t apply on owners of illegally improvised vehicles.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has banned the use of “jugaad” vehicles while taking into account safety concerns. Shortly after the constitution of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, the administration had completely banned all types of makeshift vehicles in April 2022. Later, the government took a U turn on its decision due to political reasons and lifted all restrictions on such vehicles.

Rampant use of unauthorised vehicles is a proven risk for both their drivers and occupants. Despite this, most mishaps involving such vehicles go unnoticed. As none of these vehicles is registered with the transport authorities, no challan can be issued against them. Any action taken against owners of these unclassified vehicles is adjudicated in court of law and might ultimately lead to dismantling of the vehicle.

Leaders of the rival political parties argue that the ban imposed by the AAP government could have rendered owners of unauthorised vehicles jobless. According to them, “jugaad” vehicles were used to ferry goods.

On the contrary, the ground situation is completely different as these vehicles ferry residents and that too without caring for their safety.

In one such incident, Ravinder Kumar of Sumel Kheri village in Payal segment died and Surinder Singh of Malaudh Kheri village was seriously injured when illegally manufactured crackers, being carried on motorcycle rehri, had burst at Tibbi village in April 2021.

Though a case was registered in this connection, no action was initiated against people engaged in transportation of crackers in an unsafe manner. When it comes to taking action against illegal vehicles, the authorities turn into silent spectators.

In a recent example, a migrant labourer was seen ferrying at least 12 persons, including children and women, on an unauthorised vehicle near Jagera Bridge on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway on Saturday.

When contacted, Regional Transport Officer Gurmeet Kumar Bansal acknowledged that none of the improvised vehicles was registered at his office. He said the authorities could challan only registered vehicles. “Makeshift vehicles cannot be registered under the categories of private or commercial vehicles. We have not approached their owners to get their vehicles registered. However, we have registered around 350 e-rickshaws,” said Bansal.