a day ago
Fix parking locations first, penalise later: Operators
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Nagpur: Private bus operators on Wednesday claimed that despite guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's direction to finalise locations for park and pay within seven days inside the city limits, the traffic police took action against them, including the detention of their buses.
"The issue of private bus operators needing a proper location for pick-up, drop-off, and parking has been ongoing for the last 30 to 35 years. During this period, we wrote multiple letters to concerned authorities, yet no steps were taken, and now the traffic police have issued this diktat," said Baba Dawre, President of the Travels Association of Nagpur, while addressing the media.
The operators claimed that they run 'public service vehicles' which cater to the general public.
As per section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, it is the duty of the local body and the govt to provide them with designated spots.
"In every country, passengers are picked up from footpaths. We asked the police department to demarcate places for us on roads from where we can pick up and drop off passengers. If the police give us a spot for four vehicles and if the fifth vehicle stands on the road, then they should take action. Consensus should be found on the issue rather than taking action against us directly," said secretary of the association, Mahendra Lulley, adding that private operators who pay lakhs of rupees in tax every year still face discrimination.
The operators also claimed that Bawankule gave seven days to officials to find locations inside the city where they can pay and park, but still, police took action against them. "The ADGP (traffic) issued an order last month that private buses picking up or dropping off passengers at a spot should not face no-parking action from the police. The notification of DCP (traffic) is in complete violation of ADGP's order," said a bus operator.
They urged officials to stop the harassment and instead come up with a solution to resolve the issue. The operators also agreed that in some instances, their vehicles cause traffic jams.
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