HYDERABAD: The City Traffic Police and the State Road Transport Corporation's city region are at loggerheads over fines imposed on RTC drivers for violating traffic rules at various junctions in the twin cities.

While the Traffic Police maintains that only 25 per cent of the fine amount were paid out of the 4,440 challans served on bus drivers from January to July 31 this year, RTC officials say the amount was paid within 15 days from the date of receiving the challan copies after identifying the driver.

Crux of the problem

"It is very difficult for us to identify an erring driver from 21 depots in the city. The crux of the problem is that the police are sending copies only after compiling them for a month or so. This is resulting in delay in identifying the driver," RTC City Regional Manager C. Panduranga Murthy said.

Subsequently, officials have to segregate the copies and despatch them to depot managers to identify the driver. The fine amount is later deducted from the driver's salary and the same remitted to the Traffic Police, he said.

Of the total fine of Rs.5.57 lakhs, Rs.2.97 lakhs has already been paid, he said. "It will be easy for us if the Traffic Police forward a separate copy to higher officials before sending it to depot managers," he said.

District buses

"Despite repeated pleas, they are also sending challan copies pertaining to district buses, which does not come under our jurisdiction," the Regional Manager said.

But Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) A. K. Khan said: "We cannot have one rule for RTC bus drivers and another for private vehicle owners. Depot managers are not showing any interest even after sending letters along with challan copies requesting them to pay the fine by the first week of every month."

A study by the traffic police revealed that RTC drivers were involved in 199 accidents reported up to July 31 this year in which 40 people were killed and 220 sustained injuries.

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