Action will be taken against rash driving – RTO Mallikarjuna

Action will be taken against rash driving – RTO Mallikarjuna

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 7, 2012: Addressing a transport adalat on Oct 6 Saturday Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Mallikarjuna said that a sticker bearing the phone numbers of the police and the RTO will be pasted on the backs of all buses in Mangalore from November so that members of the public can immediately lodge complaints regarding rash driving.

Further, he said that, as soon as the RTO receives the complaint, it will call up the complainant as well as the bus driver and owner to find out about the genuineness of the complaint. If the driver is indeed found guilty of rash driving, a case will be registered against him.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Hanumantha Kamath, president of the Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike, said that the KSRTC has sought permits to run city bus service between Mangaladevi and Bondel, Mangaladevi and Kunjathbail, and Suratkal and Talapady. The KSRTC has submitted more than 100 permit applications from 2004 to 2010, but the RTA has failed to issue permits on grounds that a notification of 1992 prevents the entry of KSRTC buses into State Bank.

Choodamani, secretary of the Mangalore Citizens Association, and Judith Mascarenhas, former deputy mayor, urged the RTO to strictly set aside seats for senior citizens and physically challenged people. Although two seats are reserved for elderly people and the physically challenged, they are always occupied by others, they complained, adding that bus conductors need to be sensitized on this issue. The RTO said that the authorities have planned a sensitization program for conductors and bus drivers.

John Rodrigues complained that buses are not following their routes, adding that many buses force passengers to get down halfway through at non peak hours. In response, the RTO said that he will initiate action.

Ismail, former member of the Someshwar GP, said that bus operators have the habit of threatening commuters who file complaints against them, adding that KSRTC buses must be introduced for the Someshwar to Ullal route. The RTO urged commuters to bring the matter to his notice, adding that he would initiate action against them.

The RTO also said that the licenses of drivers, who are caught honking unnecessary, and especially in school and healthcare zones, will be suspended.