PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Transport department has issued about 820 challans to private vehicles operating as commercial vehicles along the Char Dham Yatra route until May 24.
Notably, the nodal officer of the Char Dham Yatra from the regional transport office (Administration), Sandeep Saini highlighted several significant challenges faced by the department during the Yatra. One major issue is the competition from commercial vehicles from other states, which arrive at designated points where local transporters also operate, impacting their business. Saini noted that the most pressing challenge is the use of private vehicles for commercial purposes. “Checking vehicles at checkpoints consumes time. For instance, a private vehicle may be registered under a different owner’s name with someone claiming to be a relative of the traveler in the vehicle. However, mismatches in identification documents often reveal that the vehicle is being used commercially. This discrepancy can delay inspections,” he added.
Regarding the current status of the challans, he said that till May 24, 820 challans had been issued to private vehicles operating along the Yatra route as commercial vehicles. Of these, 701 challans were issued by enforcement squads deployed along the Yatra route, while 119 were issued at checkpoints set up at designated points. Those who have received challans must pay the fines at designated offices and in some cases, vehicles may be seized, he said.
Notably, six checkpoints have been set up along the Yatra route, with nine enforcement squads deployed to monitor and act against any violations.
