Nagpur RTO ignoring overloaded trucks

VLTEM has accused officials at the three offices of under-reporting the number of heavy carriage vehicles, especially those transporting sand, thus causing multi-crore losses to the state exchequer. Nagpur RTO ignoring overloaded trucks.

 Transporters associated with Vidarbha Local Truck Ekta Manch (VLTEM) have alleged corrupt practices at the city and rural Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).

VLTEM has accused officials at the three offices of under-reporting the number of heavy carriage vehicles, especially those transporting sand, thus causing multi-crore losses to the state exchequer.

VLTEM office-bearers, who organized a protest demanding action against rampant plying of overloaded trucks outside city RTO, claimed that they have evidence of RTO officials pocketing money from truck drivers to allow them to pass even if the vehicles are overloaded.

Nitin Tiwari, president of VLTEM, said RTO officials were rampantly issuing coupons and extorting money from truck drivers not only in Nagpur district but also in the region, which comes under the jurisdiction of Nagpur rural RTO.

“Two months ago, a delegation met the RTO over the same issue. But instead of taking action against overloaded trucks, the RTO cracked whip against transporters fighting against corruption,” he said. Citing an example, Tiwari said the RTO squad penalized 70 transporters for trivial violations like non-functioning indicators, missing of sand bucket etc.

On the contrary, Nagpur (city) regional transport officer Sharad Jichkar, told the delegation that the department was taking action against overloaded trucks. “We are taking action under Sections 113 and 114 of the Motor Vehicles Act against the violators,” he added.

According to the data compiled by the city RTO, in this fiscal (from April to October 2017) the office has penalized around 499 trucks for overloading and Rs 58.64 lakh fine amount too have been recovered from the violators.

But Tiwari maintained his stand. “The RTO inspectors in the flying squads allow overloaded vehicles to pass and a lot of money allegedly exchanges hands. Otherwise, overloaded trucks cannot enter into the city,” he said.

As per rules, there is a provision for a fine on transporter and driver of Rs 6,200 on the first overloaded tonne.

He also cited examples of Hingna, Butibori and Saoner, where 90% trucks could be fined for overloading sand.

As per rules, there is a provision for a fine on transporter and driver of Rs 6,200 on the first overloaded tonne. It’s subsequently followed by Rs 2,000 per tonne on the remaining overload. Vehicles violating the norms are supposed to be challaned and failure to pay fine also invites legal action.

“The state is losing revenue worth crores as many overloaded vehicles are let off without being fined,” said transporter Atul Katkar.

The RTO is not even strict to implement Regional Transport Authority’s (RTA) decision to install GPS in the trucks carrying minerals, the transporters alleged. The RTA is headed by chairman and collector Sachin Kurve.