In a round-the-clock special drive against overloaded lorries plying dangerously in the district, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) took action against 560 vehicles, collected fine to the tune of ₹5.84 lakh and initiated steps to suspend the licences of 43 tipper lorry drivers.
The drive, which began at 5 a.m. on Wednesday and lasted till the early hours of Thursday, involved the participation of more than 60 MVD officials drawn from Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. They were split into 30 squads across the district, especially in the eastern suburbs.
The drive was conducted in the wake of widespread complaints from the public about recklessly driven overloaded lorries damaging roads and causing accidents.
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The Kerala High Court had also intervened in the matter.
Action was taken against 20 lorries that were found carrying cargo of wood over and above the permissible limit. The overloaded vehicles were allowed to operate after the excess tonnage was removed.
Besides suspending the licences of 43 errant drivers, similar action was initiated against another 35 who were found driving recklessly and talking over the mobile phone while driving.
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Tension had prevailed at Pattimattom near Kizhakkambalam on Wednesday morning during the course of the drive when a section of lorry owners and workers put up resistance. The MVD squad faced two such incidents in quick succession, drawing police into action.
The first 12 squads, deployed at Angamaly, Kalady, Manjapra, North Paravur, Perumbavoor, Kizhakkambalam, Pattimattom, Kolencherry, Thripunithura, and Muvattupuzha, remained on road till 2 p.m on Wednesday after which they were replaced by another 18 squads.
Deputy Transport Commissioner K.G. Samuel and Enforcement RTO M. Suresh led the drive. In the wake of opposition during the drive, Transport Commissioner Anil Kanth in a message pledged full support to fair-minded officials working in compliance with rules. He also ordered that action be intensified with the assistance of the police.