A report filed by the amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala High Court in the road rage case has recommended that a permanent enforcement committee consisting of police officers and Motor vehicle department and Kochi Corporation be put in place.
In his report, Kaleeswaram Raj, amicus curiae also suggested abolition of collection bata being given to the bus crew and introduction of a fixed rate system. Mr. Raj said that a “fixed rate system” was introduced by the Pantheerankavu Bus Operators’Association in Kozhikode in 2011 for ensuring road safety.
As many as 40 buses were plying on Pantheerankavu-Perumanna route. There were frequent accidents, resulting in loss of life and pedestrians and drivers sustaining injuries.
In such a scenario, the owners of the buses had introduced a safe bus journey and abolished collection bata and introduced a fixed rate system. It was extremely successful and there was no complaints from passengers or general public about any misbehaviour of crew or accidents. This model could be replicated in Kochi as well.
In fact, the report filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kochi range had stated that “lust for unreasonable profit” was one of the reasons for the present state of affairs.
The report while suggesting the formation of the committee said that unless and until there was a regular monitoring of the city transport system by a committee, a permanent solution could not be achieved.
Kochi range IG M R Ajith Kumar in his report said that it had been ordered that the police should suo motu register an FIR in the case of a complaint against the bus crew. The buses involved in the road rage should be physically seized and produced before the Judicial Magistrate Courts for further necessary action.
In case of repeated incidents of violations reported against a particular bus operator or staff, they shall be permanently debarred from obtaining bus permits for lifetime or driving such vehicles. In cases involving hurt and assaults, actions under IPC and under Motor Vehicles Act also shall be made mandatory along with cancellation of permits and permanent ban on the operators and the bus staff from the field, IGP had ordered.
