With the much-awaited transport policy still in the offing, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday launched a massive crackdown by ordering immediate removal of all illegal buses plying in the State from the roads.
The Chief Minister has also asked the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and the State Vigilance Department to submit an action-taken report on the same within 10 days.
The directions came during the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday to finalise the schedule of the Budget Session of the State Assembly and to take several other vital decisions.
Taking serious note of reports of a large number of illegal private buses plying on Punjab roads, Capt Amarinder issued directions to the RTA to check all such buses, which pose a serious danger to the lives of innocent people, and ensure that they are removed from the roads without further delay.
Noting that these buses were plying in blatant violation of the rules, the Chief Minister made it clear that no laxity in the matter would be tolerated and officials found guilty of dereliction or complicity would have to face penalisation and punishment.
Reiterating his commitment to eliminating all mafias from the state, Capt Amarinder expressed serious concern that transport mafia continued to run unchecked.
He also warned the transport department of strict action if they failed to take necessary action to end rampant violation of the transport rules and regulations.
Chief Minister also directed the Vigilance Department to identify such operators and take action against them.
He also called for expediting the transport policy being finalised by the department to clean up the mess on the State’s roads to ensure that the safety and security of commuters is not compromised any further.