Two-month ban on vehicles modified to ferry passengers

Taking cognizance of the ferrying of passengers to shrines in illegally modified goods carriers and other vehicles, the Ludhiana police have promulgated orders prohibiting the use of these vehicles for the abovesaid purpose for two months.

“It has been observed that different types of vehicles — jeep, Tata 407, Tata 409 and vehicles with higher number of wheels — in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act carry passengers, leading to mishaps,” reads orders issued by Deputy Commissioner Police Ludhiana Rupinder Singh on Wednesday.

Keeping this in mind earlier too authorities in various police districts of the state had been asked to ensure that no unauthorised vehicle modified to carry an unreasonable number of passengers or found using loudspeakers be allowed to move on roads, but owners of goods carriers continued risking lives by undertaking unsafe journeys to various shrines.

Following imposition of a ban on the entry of goods carriers ferrying devotees to shrines situated in Anandpur Sahib district, SHOs of various police stations and in charges of traffic cells have been asked to ensure that no vehicle is allowed to use loudspeakers and ferry passengers beyond its capacity by adding planks.

Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh said in charges of traffic wings, beat officers and SHOs falling under the jurisdiction of Ahmedgarh and Amargarh subdivisions had been advised to coordinate with panchayats and truck operator unions to sensitise all stakeholders about the risks involved in unsafe travelling in private goods carriers. Drivers and owners of modified vehicles, including double-deck trucks and trolleys are being challaned, added the SSP.

Rampant violation of the traffic norms had become a norm in the region when private goods vehicles exploit passengers for taking them to shrines situated in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh and borders districts of Punjab. These vehicles carry devotees, including children, women and elderly, and endanger their lives. To worsen the situation, a large number of drivers follow unsafe shortcut routes along canal banks and drains, and majority of them (drivers) don’t have driving licence or roadworthiness certificate of tractor-trailers normally used for agricultural purposes. Bus operators, too, allow passengers on roofs.

As per the Motor Vehicle Act norms, use of goods vehicles for ferrying passengers, besides undertaking any kind of modification, is illegal. Not only these prove risky for the passengers these vehicles carry, but also prove dangerous for other commuters.

Moreover, the region has seen many mishaps in the past involving private goods carriers, leading to fatalities. Over 18 years ago, a truck carrying more than 30 devotees had fallen in the Sirhind Canal near Karamsar village, in which six lives were lost while many got seriously injured.