RTOs to conduct fortnightly raids; collect Rs 1.8L in first

MADURAI: A special inspection conducted by the regional transport officers (RTO) on Sunday evening in Madurai district fetched a whopping Rs 1.8 lakh as fine on a single day. The RTOs have further decided to conduct such special inspections once in 15 days.
Sunday's inspection was conducted following a meeting conducted on Friday by joint transport commissioner, Madurai range, P Muruganandham and joint transport commissioner (enforcement), Srirangam, A Veerapandian on Friday.
The inspection was simultaneously conducted at Samayanallur, Therku Theru at Melur, Rameswaram Road in Viraganoor and the national highway at Vadipatti, Ring Road at Mandela Nagar and Tuticorin Road Junction at Kappalur. Four special teams, each led by a RTO with two brake inspectors were involved in the inspection. They said that vehicles were checked for overloading, rash driving and documents. A sum of Rs 25,750 was collected as tax and Rs 67,300 as fine. Another Rs 77,900 was collected as fine from nine overloading vehicles. Four vehicles were seized as they were found with multiple violations. The inspection was carried out for just six hours starting from 5pm. The officials have warned that similar inspections would be conducted once in every 15 days.
Officials said that they have been frequently cracking the whip on vehicles operating without pollution certificates. In just five months from January to May they had collected Rs 1.65 lakh as fine. Officials said the frequent checks have helped them send a strong message against those vehicles without valid pollution certificates. Majority of the vehicles checked were found without certificates. A total of Rs 1.16 lakh was collected as spot fine from 2,496 vehicles between January and May period while Rs 48,900 was collected post May from 312 vehicles which were issued with check report.
RTOs say that rash driving is another important area they have been close monitoring. They say that it's mostly transport vehicles and four-wheelers that are involved in rash driving. Very less number of two-wheelers are involved in rash driving. In the corresponding five months, 674 vehicles were found violating the speed limit. A sum of Rs 24,000 has been collected as spot fine for rash driving while Rs 11,200 was collected later from vehicles issued with check report. Officials said they have warned to intensify the inspection on rash driving.