Panaji, Aug 31: The Goa Directorate of Transport has ordered an enforcement drive against buses allegedly carrying standing passengers without the required authorisation and operating beyond their registered passenger capacity.

 

The directive follows a complaint submitted by transport activist Sudip Narayan Tamhankar to the Director of Transport on August 24, raising concerns particularly over electric buses operated by Evey Trans KTC Private Limited, Evey Trans IDR Private Limited, and buses operating under the Panaji Smart City Project.

In his complaint, Tamhankar alleged that the electric buses concerned had been registered on the basis of their seating capacity and had not obtained the mandatory “Standing Passenger Facility” approval or endorsement from the competent registering authorities. Despite this, he claimed, several buses were routinely carrying passengers standing during daily operations.

Tamhankar argued that carrying standing passengers without the necessary endorsement could amount to violation of the conditions of the Registration Certificate and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. He also raised passenger-safety concerns, citing the operational characteristics of electric buses, including rapid acceleration and regenerative braking.

He requested the Transport Department to conduct surprise inspections, initiate punitive action against buses found violating their registered capacity, and ensure strict adherence to the passenger limits mentioned in their Registration Certificates.

Transport Department acts on complaint

In a directive dated August 28, the Directorate of Transport instructed the Assistant Directors of Transport (Enforcement) at Panaji and Margao to conduct surprise on-field inspections and line checking.

Significantly, the enforcement drive has not been restricted to the operators named in Tamhankar’s complaint. The department has ordered checking of all buses, including electric vehicles, private buses, buses operated by or through KTCL, and those operating under the Panaji Smart City Project.

The Assistant Directors have been directed to initiate action, including penalties, challans or detention of non-compliant vehicles, under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if buses are found carrying standing passengers without valid “Standing Passenger Facility” authorisation.

The department has also directed enforcement officials to ensure that buses operate strictly within the passenger capacity recorded in their Registration Certificates.

The Directorate has sought a compliance report within 15 days of receipt of its order.

The move could have significant implications for public bus services in Goa, particularly during peak hours when buses frequently operate with passengers standing. The enforcement drive will now determine how many vehicles possess the necessary authorisation to legally accommodate standing passengers and whether operators are adhering to their registered passenger limits.