Imposition of motor vehicle tax on vehicles belonging to Andhra Pradesh caught pilgrims from Vizianagaram and Chittoor districts off guard, when the buses they were travelling after pilgrimage to Maharashtra were stopped by the road transport authorities from Telangana. Officials seized their vehicles at Salabathpur check-post for non-payment of tax after midnight.
The pilgrims from the two districts returning home spent a harrowing time as the vehicles were not allowed to go for want of proper documents and non-payment of tax in accordance to the amended rules, since Tuesday night. In all, three buses — two from Vizianagaram and one from Chittoor — were seized by the RTA authorities led by Motor Vehicle Inspector S. N. Reddy at the temple village in Madnur mandal, some 100 km away from here, on the border of Maharashtra. In each, there were about 50 passengers including women and children.
Since the buses were stopped and the drivers were unable to take an immediate decision in the absence of their owners, the passengers had no option but to get down and stay at a dharmashala (choultry) attached to the famous Hanuman temple after midnight. Mr. S. N. Reddy told The Hindu that the buses had temporary permits and therefore were seized and the drivers asked to inform the same to their owners.
