A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of Dehradun and transport headquarters acted against the law while granting permits to the Vikrams in Dehradun. The President of the Dehradun Mahanagar City Bus Federation, Vijay Vardhan Dandariyal told media persons here on Tuesday that the RTO Dehradun has sanctioned Tempo Vikrams under 7 (passengers) + 1 (driver) which is illegal. He said that the manufacturer of these vehicles too has clearly mentioned that they are meant for six passengers and one driver only. Dandariyal further added that the Pune based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) too has sanctioned Vikram as 6 (passenger) + 1 (Driver) vehicle. He said that the ARAI clears the vehicle after thoroughly checking its capacity, power of the engine, pollution emission and other standards. “ No official or manufacturer can increase or decrease the carrying capacity of the vehicle without permission of ARAI which is an Institute of Government of India,’’ he said.
The President of the federation further informed that in an order dated September 23, 2013 by Transport Commissioner only four wheeled vehicle can be kept in the category of Maxi cab and they should have carrying capacity of six to 12 passengers. He charged the officials of the RTO for keeping a three wheeled vehicle ( Vikram) in the category of Maxi Cab without any Government order. Dandariyal said that deaths of two passengers sitting near driver have occurred in Dehradun and Roorkee when the cloths they were wearing got entangled in the engine. These deaths should have been prevented had the officials not granted 7+ 1 permit to Vikrams. The federation demanded punitive action against the officials which illegally granted permits to the Vikrams.