PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The regional transport officer (Administration) and nodal officer for the Char Dham Yatra, Sandeep Saini informed that as on May 10, a total of 577 challans have been issued to private vehicles operating on the Yatra circuit as commercial vehicles since the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra. Saini said that the Transport department encounters several significant challenges during the Yatra. One major issue is the competition from commercial vehicles from other States that arrive at designated points, where local transporters also operate, consequently affecting their business. Saini highlighted that the most pressing challenge is the operation of private vehicles as commercial vehicles.
When checking vehicles at checkpoints, this situation becomes time-consuming. For example, a private vehicle may have a different registered owner, who claims to be a relative of the traveller in the vehicle. However, the identification documents checked do not match, indicating that they are using the private vehicle for commercial purposes. This discrepancy results in delays during inspections, he said.
Saini further informed that, up to May 10 of this year, 577 challans had been issued to private vehicles operating along the Yatra route as commercial vehicles. Of these, 484 challans were issued by enforcement squads deployed on the Yatra route, while 93 were issued at checkpoints installed at designated points. Those who receive challans are required to pay the fines at the designated office, and in some situations, vehicles may be seized, he added.
Six checkpoints have been established along the Yatra route, with nine enforcement squads deployed to monitor and act against any violations. He also appealed to private vehicle owners not to operate their vehicles as commercial ones, warning them that if any accident were to occur, insurance for private vehicles would not cover commercial use, leaving them liable for any damages.
