Kerala - Kochi   

RTO sees laxity in emission tests

Staff Reporter

Says certificates being issued without tests

KOCHI: The Motor Vehicles Department has plans to crack down on pollution testing centres allegedly issuing emission certificates for vehicles without even conducting tests, in Ernakulam district.

The decision to initiate stringent action has come after it was found that a private testing centre in Aluva had issued an emission certificate for a vehicle seized by officials of the department recently. The testing centre issued the certificate without realising that the vehicle had been seized.

Violations

An increasing number of such violations have forced the authorities to bring the testing centres under the scanner.

Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer (RTO) M.N. Prabhakaran said here on Saturday that the department would cancel the licences of testing centres indulging in illegal practices.

Details of vehicles coming for testing are usually stored in computers at the testing centres. Thus, after one visit to a centre, a vehicle owner can get the certificate by just giving the registration number, without even taking the vehicle for testing.

During a surprise check by the officials, it was found that some of the testing centres had been issuing certificates just by keying in the registration number.

Mr. Prabhakaran urged the vehicle owners not to encourage such illegal practices. He also urged the public to provide information on illegal testing centres.

Special drive

He said a special drive would be held in the district from Wednesday to check rash and drunken driving. Motor vehicle inspectors would participate in the drive.

Curbs on speeding

During the drive, a speed radar would be deployed at key spots to book those violating speed regulations.

The instrument would be taken to different parts of the district during the two-week programme.

A training programme for officials on how to enforce traffic rules strictly will be held at Young Men's Christian Association, Aluva, on Monday.

The department has made it clear that stringent steps will be taken against those involved in negligent driving.

Driving licences of those booked under certain sections will be cancelled. Breath analysers will be used to book those indulging in drunken driving.

Mr. Prabhakaran said these steps were part of the drive initiated by the department to ensure that the roads were free from accidents.

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