Latest news with #TamilNaduMotorVehicleRules
New Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu blocks Zonecar app, seizes 4 cars, shuts office
CHENNAI: Following complaints from licensed taxi operators, the state transport department has suspended operations of the Zonecar mobile application, which allowed car owners and drivers to operate their private vehicles as rentals. The Meenambakkam Regional Transport Office (RTO) seized four cars and closed down the Zonecar office located in Pazhavanthangal. The RTO and vehicle inspectors also imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 for each car for violation of registration rules, as per which own-use cars have to be converted to commercial vehicles to be used as taxis. Official sources from the transport department stated, 'There are ongoing legal proceedings regarding the operation of private two-wheelers as bike taxis. As a temporary measure, bike taxis with whiteboard registration are being allowed until the government announces a clear policy decision. However, under the Motor Vehicles Act, private cars can only be used as taxis if they are converted into commercial vehicles.' When asked about other apps that also enable private car owners to rent out their vehicles, officials said action would be taken against those platforms as well. Providing a platform for operating own-use vehicles for commercial purposes is illegal and will attract punitive punishment, added the official. TNIE was not able to download the Zonecar app from the application store for Android as on Thursday. To address the shortage of call taxis, the transport department amended the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules in November 2023, permitting privately-owned vehicles to be converted into transport vehicles, thereby allowing their use for commercial purposes. Last week, a group of call taxi operators staged a protest at Pallavaram, alleging that private vehicles with white number plates were being used as cabs at major transport hubs including the Chennai airport, Tambaram Railway Station, Kilambakkam KCBT and others. During a recent inspection on GST Road in Pallavaram a few days ago, authorities found four white-board vehicles transporting passengers. The passengers were then deboarded, and the vehicles were seized. Show cause notices were issued to the vehicle owners, and penalties were imposed accordingly, an official said.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
Frame rules to act against erring share autorickshaw drivers, says HC
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Transport Secretary to bring in a suitable amendment to the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules, and frame proper rules to take action such as cancellation of permit and seizure of share autorickshaws in the event of dangerous driving or overloading of the vehicles. Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Transport Secretary to rein in instances of share autorickshaws carrying more passengers than the legally permissible limit, and dangerous driving, which put pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles to hardship. 'Accidents due to drunk driving cannot be taken lightly. It is common knowledge that the autorickshaw drivers operate the vehicles in a rash and negligent manner. They are to be dealt with in a strict manner,' the court observed. 'Carrying more passengers than the permissible limit is to be viewed seriously. The drivers are the custodian of the passengers, and they have a duty to drive carefully. The court has time and again directed the authorities to monitor the share government is not taking cognisance of the alarming rate of violation and the consequential loss of human life,' the court said. It directed the Transport Secretary to submit a report on the action taken, and posted the matter to August 22 for reporting compliance. The court was hearing an appeal preferred by Chellapandian of Ramanathapuram district. In 2015, the appellant rode his share autorickshaw, carrying more than 10 passengers, in a rash and negligent manner under the influence of alcohol, and hit a police van on Madurai-Kamuthi Road. Three persons died on the spot and several others were injured. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Paramakudi sentenced him to two years' imprisonment. He challenged the judgment. The High Court observed that the appellant acted contrary to the rules, with total disregard for public safety, and dismissed the appeal.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Pink autos driven by men seized; traffic cops asked to get tough
Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt's 'Pink Auto' scheme, started to provide safe travel for women and children, is facing problems with rule violations. Recently, two pink autos in Chennai were seized after they were found being driven by men, which is against the scheme's rule. The initiative was inaugurated by the chief minister on March 8, 2025, under the Safe City Project, and aims to both ensure safer mobility for women and create livelihood opportunities for them. In the first phase, 165 pink autos were distributed, with another 85 autos slated for distribution in the coming months. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai As part of the scheme, each eligible woman driver receives a 1 lakh subsidy, bank loan assistance, a one-week driving and safety training program conducted by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation, and a mandatory pink uniform. "Importantly, beneficiaries are required to sign an undertaking not to transfer ownership or allow others particularly men to operate the vehicles," said M Haritha, district social welfare officer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Despite these provisions, complaints have emerged from multiple parts of Chennai regarding unauthorized male drivers operating the pink autos. After issuing several warnings to the beneficiaries, the Social Welfare Department, along with RTO officials, seized two such autos in the past week. Taking further steps to ensure compliance, the social welfare department has now enlisted the help of the traffic police. Personnel have been instructed to identify and seize any pink autos being driven by men, with immediate effect. "The scheme's core objective women's safety and empowerment must not be undermined, and any violation will be met with strict action under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules and the amended Motor Vehicles Act," said an official from social welfare department. M Sampath of AITUC, a central Chennai auto driver and member of the Collector's Committee for Social Security Schemes, said the pink autos should have been given to women who were already driving autorickshaws. "If that had been done, the scheme wouldn't have been misused," he said. He added that Chennai has around 1.20 lakh auto drivers, of whom only about 300 are women.
