PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) conducted a special campaign against illegally modified vehicles in Dehradun. The regional transport officer (Enforcement and Road Safety) Anita Chamola said on her instructions the initiative was launched to ensure road safety in the district and to address the issue of modified vehicles (Jugad) which were causing revenue loss.
During this campaign, strict measures were implemented against vehicles modified with bicycle handles, engines from old scrap vehicles or two-wheelers that had been unauthorisedly cut and converted into cargo carts. Special inspections were carried out on vehicles lacking engine or chassis numbers, or where numbers were found to be inconsistent. As a result, a total of 16 modified vehicles were scrapped by their owners and five vehicles with unregistered numbers were impounded. Vehicle owners received stern warnings not to use or operate such illegal makeshift vehicles in the future, she said.
Chamola informed that traders were asked not to transport goods using makeshift vehicles and advised to employ only legal and safe transportation methods. Chamola added that strict action was taken against drivers operating in the wrong lane or in the opposite direction, resulting in 26 vehicles being challaned. The drivers were warned that further violations could lead to the suspension of their driving licenses.
Throughout this special two-day campaign, a total of 130 vehicles were challaned and 26 vehicles were seized, including five makeshift vehicles. Chamola stated that such action against illegal and makeshift vehicles will continue. She appealed to the public and merchants to use only hand-pulled carts or legitimate transportation methods and to refrain from transporting goods with modified vehicles under any circumstances.
