ARTOs & technical inspectors to be responsible for accidents caused by technical snags on Yatra routes
Friday, 24 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Transport department has issued an order that the assistant regional transport officers and technical inspectors concerned will be held responsible for accidents that happen due to technical glitches on Char Dham routes. The joint transport commissioner Sanat Kumar Singh said that it has come to the department’s notice that many drivers allegedly operate their vehicles on the Char Dham routes without proper technical checks or continue to drive despite the technical issues. The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had given instructions in the Yatra review meeting that vehicles with technical issues should not be allowed to operate on mountain routes as that can cause potentially fatal accidents. Considering this, the department will hold the ARTOs and technical inspectors concerned responsible if it is proved during the investigation that the vehicle crashed on the Char Dham route due to a technical issue. He ordered the nodal officer of Char Dham Yatra, Dehradun ARTO (Administration) along with ARTOs of Pauri, Vikasnagar, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Haridwar and Rishikesh to conduct an on-site technical check of all the vehicles coming for Char Dham pilgrimage as per the rules. The ARTOs concerned should issue green cards to vehicles only when they meet all the standards set by the department for safe travelling. Singh said that the drivers ignore the technical faults in the vehicle during the journey in some cases. Considering this, the enforcement officers should conduct surprise inspections along with technical inspectors on the routes to act against such ignorant drivers. If any technical fault is found in any vehicle, the ARTO should cancel its fitness permit and take appropriate action against the driver, he said. The department will take disciplinary action against ARTOs and technical inspectors if any accident occurs due to technical issues of the vehicle on Char Dham routes, he added.
