If you are planning to travel in vehicle having wheel base more than 166 inches and overhang more than fifty per cent, better change your plan since such vehicles are not allowed in the Chardham Yatra on hill routes. It is one of the 14 do's and don'ts issued by the Transport department for safety of the passengers.
Regional transport offices would ensure effective implementation of do's and don'ts by carrying out thorough checking of the vehicles leaving for the yatra. Technical officers would be deployed for testing fitness of the vehicles and vehicles not fitting the bill would not be allowed to go further. Checking would be carried out at four locations, including Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haldwani, and Kotdwar.
Regional Transport Officer (HQ) Dinesh Chandra Pathoi said, "Technical teams to carry out checking of the vehicles are ready. And the teams would ensure that the vehicles, which don't have fitness as per standards set up by the department, should not be issued green card required for the Yatra."
Pathoi added that the department was doing so to ensure the safe journey to the devotees. Giving details about the journey, Pathoi said that the vehicle owners must ensure that the vehicles going for the yatra have all 14 do's. He should also know the don'ts. The department would propagate these don'ts among the transporters and drivers.
Fourteen points of dos said that the driver should be experienced and efficient for driving on hill roads. He should complete list of the passengers travelling in the vehicle, he should know that the descending vehicles on the slopes should give way to ascending vehicle. Each vehicle must posses First-Aid Box and wooden blocks.
Drivers should ensure that their vehicles are fit for the hill journey and before starting for the journey; they must check brakes, steering, level of engine oil and coolant. Vehicle owners should get repaired their vehicles from technically sound persons only and ensure that only genuine parts are used during the repairs.
The driver must possess all valid documents related to vehicle and driver. Backlights and stoplights in working condition should be fixed on the rear part of the vehicle. Apart from it, advisory suggests periodical eye test to every person driving a vehicle, holding a green card issued by either of the transport office at Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun, before starting the hill journey is mandatory for each commercial vehicle. Issued after technical examination, the card comprises details of the registration
certificate, valid permit, insurance certificate, Tax payment certificate, driving and conductor's license.
It suggests using horn on the bends apply of hand brakes while parking the vehicle. It also suggests not carrying inflammable good as kerosene, gas, petrol, and diesel.
It further said that the passengers should never travel in the vehicle plying as un-authorised vehicle. Never allow the driver to drive the vehicle before 5am and after 7pm on hill routes. Never drive the vehicle at an excessive speed since hill routes might be narrow, full of steeply ascending and descending curves.
It should also be ensured that the drivers don't perform steering duty for more than eight hours in a day. A person under influence of liquor or any drug should not be allowed to drive the vehicles at any cost.
Passengers should be loaded as per permissible limits. Always use new tyres on the hilly route. Avoid using dazzling headlights in your vehicle. Take pass and special precaution before overtaking the vehicles. Each tourist vehicle should have an emergency door. Instead of wearing the rubber sleepers, the drivers should put on shoes while driving the vehicles on hill routes.