The Transport Department has issued directions to the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to take action under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act against the bus operators, who are plying their vehicles without valid permits.
The department asked the officials to seize the buses and collect fines that are carrying the passengers without route permit or violating the MV Act.
The RTOs have been asked not to allow errant drivers and buses to ply without permit at any cost.
Soon after the directive the officials conducted raid against the buses especially the night coaches.
The Bhubaneswar RTO started verification process after raiding several buses on Friday night.
The officials scrutinised the documents, licenses along with checking whether the driver was drunk during driving or buses carried passengers exceeding the seat limits in sleeper coach.
“Around 300 buses are plying daily to different parts from the State capital. But the buses having permits to ply on a particular route are found operating on other routes. Even there are many complaints registered that the drivers of night coach buses are driving under influence of liquor, said a Transport Department official.
It came to our notice that the buses are carrying more than one passenger on a sleeper seat. The passengers are also found sitting in the cabin during the night. The department has asked the passengers for filing complaints with the RTO against the buses for openly violating the rules,” added the official.
As per the rules, the buses should carry the passengers as per the number of the seats. There were allegations that the buses carry two-three passengers per seat. Even the buses lack first aid and fire extinguishers, the official said.