BANGALORE: Tractor-trailers move freely on the city roads causing hardship to other road users and choking the already affected traffic despite a ban on their operation within the city limits.

They are being extensively used to transport building debris and construction material, because they are less expensive.

The movement of other vehicles is obstruction owing to the haphazard driving of these vehicles. During night, headlights of tractors mislead motorists who often hit the trailers that do not have any tail lamps.

While 11,000 tractors and 10,500 trailers are registered in various RTOs in and around Bangalore, many tractor-trailers registered in Andhra Pradesh are operating in the city.

According to an officer in the traffic police, entry of tractor-trailers is prohibited within the city, just like trucks. However, those being operated by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Karnataka Land Army are exempted from the ban.

Tractor-trailers are not meant to carry goods on public roads.

They are meant for agricultural and forestry purposes.

Going by the definition, a goods-laden trailer becomes a transport vehicle when attached to a tractor.

However, an appropriate registration with the transport department and insurance coverage is necessary for such a deviation. Most of the tractors-trailers do not comply with these requirements, making their operation illegal.

The Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules restrain movement of tractor-trailers on public roads.

They should be driven on the extreme left side on a metalled road. A recent amendment to the Rules prohibits use of tractors- trailers for commercial purposes.

However, these restrictions are followed more in defiance in the city. Tractor-trailers ply like any other vehicle.

The driver of a tractor-trailer has poor visibility as far as vehicles behind him are concerned. Victims of road accidents involving tractor-trailers would not get insurance coverage, as their operation in the city is illegal.

A senior official of the Transport Department said though operation of tractor-trailers within the city limits was illegal, the Government does not encourage action against violation.

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