Acting on directives issued by East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal on Saturday, a joint team of district transport department and district traffic police on Monday morning launched a drive against student carrier vehicles at three different points and seized four vans and 18 auto-rickshaw.
It may be recalled that on Saturday morning students of Bistupur-based St Mary’s Hindi High School were hurt when an overloaded auto-rickshaws turned over trying to avoid a collision with motorcyclist on Kadma-Sonari link Road while on February 3 another auto-rickshaw carrying students of Kasidih-based Kasidih High School overturned near Sitaramdera bus terminus causing injury to four students.
The drive which was led jointly by East Singhbhum district transport officer Sanjay Kujur and deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Jacinta Kerketta began at 7.20 am continued for nearly an hour near three English medium schools.
Rameshwar Prasad, a van operator of Sacred Heart Convent says, “We are forced to take more children because of the fuel prices and road tax. We have even asked the parents to hike our charges, but they are not willing. In such a scenario, we have no choice but to go for overloading. It’s becoming difficult to run our businesses.”
The authorities after the seizure of the vans and auto-rickshaws also checked without valid permits and fitness certificate. Overloaded vehicles will be prosecuted (as per MV Act) with a fine of Rs2000 (minimum).
Many autorickshaws plying on the city’s busy thoroughfares could be seen carrying students more than the permitted capacity. In several instances, the number of minors seated inside the three-wheelers exceeds nine or 10.
The vehicles were taken away to Sakchi police station and according to police officials they will be released only after they give up fines.
The authorities after the seizure of the vans and auto-rickshaws also checked without valid permits and fitness certificate.