Odisha: The government has issued strict instructions to the Transport Department to strengthen road safety and curb illegal vehicle operations. The state government has ordered Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to identify vehicles operating without valid fitness certificates, permits, and other necessary documents and take strict action against them.
The Transport Commissioner has directed all RTOs across the state to conduct special enforcement drives at regular intervals. These drives aim to detect vehicles violating road rules and lacking valid documents.
In an official order issued on Saturday, the Transport Commissioner cited a recent fatal road accident in Baripada. He stated that preliminary investigations have revealed that the vehicles involved in the accident were operating without valid fitness certificates, in serious violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This incident has raised serious questions about road safety.
The order states that such violations are not only a violation of the law but also a major threat to public safety. Vehicles plying on the road without fitness certificates increase the risk of accidents and even put the lives of other passengers at risk.
The government has also authorized the RTO to access vehicle-related data through the VAHAN portal. This digital platform will make it easier to identify vehicles operating without valid documents and enable prompt action against them.
The Transport Department has clarified that the special enforcement drive will not be a mere formality but will be implemented seriously. All types of vehicles on the road will be inspected, especially those lacking mandatory documents such as fitness certificates, permits, and insurance.
According to officials, the primary objective of this campaign is to reduce road accidents and make the public transport system safer. The government believes that if vehicles undergo regular fitness checks, accidents caused by technical faults can be significantly reduced.
The Transport Department has also appealed to all vehicle owners to keep their documents updated and not drive vehicles without valid documents. The department has warned that fines, vehicle seizures, and other legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules.
Experts say that old and unfit vehicles are a major cause of road accidents in India. Lack of timely inspection of such vehicles leads to increased technical faults, which often lead to serious accidents. This move by the Odisha government is considered important in controlling this problem.
The state government has also indicated that such monitoring will be made more digital and stringent in the future to improve road safety standards and reduce accidents.
