The Transport Department seized 15 motorcycles that were rented out to tourists on Saturday morning. This is part of an ongoing drive to enforce the ban on two-wheeler rentals.
In 2012, the Transport Department issued an order banning the rental of two-wheelers, which is now being enforced. Earlier, the department seized 30 vehicles, which have been impounded, Road Transport Officer Satchidanandan said.
There are around 30 shops with over a 1,000 bikes given on rent. These two-wheelers are rented out to the general public and tourists. Unfortunately, there have been a number of complaints regarding these bikes, especially traffic problems they create during weekends and holidays. Traffic police have been receiving a number of complaints that foreigners and tourists were riding bikes drunk and violating rules.
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The department’s initial move to ban two-wheeler rental was aimed at promoting use of autorickshaws. However, considering other problems, the enforcement on ban has become stricter, Mr. Satchidanandan said.
Initially, when the ban was enforced, many of the rental agents stopped renting out bikes, but it has now been over a year since the ban and the trade still continues in the open.