The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Crackdown on parallel services in capital turns ineffective

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Crackdown on parallel services in capital turns ineffective

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Staff shortage and lack of facilities are the reasons for the failure

FLOUTING RULES: Asan Square in the capital has virtually become a parallel van service stand. - Photo: S. Mahinsha

Thiruvananthapuram: Staff shortage in the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), absence of modern communication facilities and lack of coordination between the MVD and the police have prevented the authorities from launching an effective crackdown on parallel services that operate illegally in the district.

Though the MVD authorities carry out periodic inspections with the limited resources at their disposal, hundreds of parallel mini-buses continue to operate in the district, flouting motor vehicle and traffic rules and jeopardising the safety of the passengers and other road users. Besides, they cause a big dent in KSRTC's daily revenue collection. Many of the parallel services trail KSRTC buses, especially those operating in interior areas.

A recent operation against parallel services carried out by MVD officials at Vellarada, Neyyattinkara, Poovar and Parasala did not yield the desired results due to the political patronage enjoyed by the operators. Official sources said the police also failed to extend support to the MVD team for a "sustained and effective crackdown" on the illegal services. There had been instances in which parallel service operators had roughed up MVD officials.

The enforcement officials are also hampered by the lack of modern communication equipment. They say that parallel service operators use mobile phones to inform each other of the movement of inspection squads. The vehicles are pulled out from the sector in time before the MVD squad turns up for inspection. A squad comprises a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) and two Assistant MVIs.

The illegal services are operated from Thampanoor, East Fort, and Bakery Junction, Peroorkada, Asan Square, Pettah, Kesavadasapuram, Sreekariyam, Pappanamcode, Balaramapuram and Vizhinjam.

The KSRTC's red and white mini-buses that operate in many stretches have not been able to raise a serious challenge to the unauthorised services.

The illegal operators have set up a "terminal" behind the Asan Square right opposite the MLA hostel. Over a dozen vehicles are parked here to carry passengers throughout the day. The illegal services to Medical College, Veli and Thumba operate from the Asan Square. Before the KSRTC buses to these suburbs depart, the parallel service operators collect the passengers and proceed to these destinations. MVD officials say they are aware of the "terminal."

The majority of the 20-seater plush contract carriages that have entered the roads are being operated as parallel services. Commuters depend on these vehicles to reach the city from the suburban areas and return on time. To attract commuters, the parallel service operators stop the vehicles on request and provide concessions in fare.

The vehicles create nuisance for road users by over-speeding and violating traffic and motor vehicle rules. During night, even jeeps and luxury buses could be seen operating illegal services to and from near the central bus station at Thampanoor.

Light motor vehicles are given permits to operate as contract carriages between fixed destinations on a hire basis. But, they operate as stage carriers and carry more passengers than the sanctioned seating capacity.

According to the MVD official, those found operating the parallel services are fined Rs.3,000 in the first instance.

For a repeat offence, the operator would have to cough up a fine of Rs.5,000 and the road tax for stage carriers.

A sum of Rs.6 lakhs was levied as penalty from those operating illegal services in the district during the last two months.

"It shows the revenue loss caused to KSRTC. The MVD has decided to intensify the crackdown on these parallel service operators in the coming days," says Deputy Transport Commissioner, South Zone, P.S. Jose.

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