Lack of proper inspection of buses
Bus passengers are indeed relieved to learn that stop memos have been issued to buses that are not roadworthy. The action follows a couple of accidents in Kozhikode recently.
All public transport vehicles, including buses, are subjected to periodical inspection and issued fitness certificates. But, a day later, the vehicles flout rules by retrofitting even the changed parts.
An example is the removal of side doors of many buses. Another lacuna is that there is no scientific method of inspecting a vehicle, as only the old process of inspection by physical verification is carried out.
The stress has was been on brake efficiency, and now the pollution level also.
As of now, it is said that a vehicle painted to have a new look is sufficient to bypass all other deficiencies.
The road worthiness test is done on public roads and in the middle of regular traffic. This only affects the efficacy of the test.
There is no proper mechanism to analyse the true defects of the vehicle. Modern equipment such as ultrasonic flaw detector or wheel alignment testing are not heard of.
The result is that heavy vehicles run with vertically or horizontally misaligned bodies to chassis, or with flaw in maintenance, heightening the risk of accidents.
It is high time to modernise the entire vehicle inspection process.
J.J. Vellara
Kozhikode
Laudable project
Compassionate Kozhikode is yet another brainchild of District Collector N. Prashanth. It is an appreciable humanitarian venture to link philanthropists with the needy.
While launching the website of this project, Minister for Social Justice M.K. Muneer said it could be extended across the State.
Without waiting for an initiative from the government, other districts should also implement this laudable project.
C. Chandrasekharan
Kozhikode
Toll at Attupalam
The toll collected at Attupalam toll plaza in Coimbatore is meant for all four-wheelers passing through this point. Over a period of time, the authorities of Coimbatore issued notification to stop collecting the toll as it was no longer required. Yet, vehicles with Kerala registration are stopped for toll. The argument that follows leads to frayed tempers and a line-up of vehicles.
One day, I had to take my octogenarian brother from Palakkad by car for an emergency operation at a hospital in Coimbatore. Time was ticking as he was profusely bleeding. I was cursing my fate when I had to undergo the ordeal at the toll plaza.
Are there any clearly laid out norms for collection of toll?
C.K. Prem Kumar
Palakkad
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