Transport department to intensify inspection of private vehicles over 15 years old

BENGALURU: In the district of Mandya a bus had plunged into a canal which had claimed 30 lives, the transport department has taken the decision of intensifying their inspections in the case of private vehicles which are over 15 years old.

According to the department, 45.05 lakh of the total 1.9 crore vehicles in Karnataka were more than 15 years old as on March this year.

Sources said that the chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has asked the transport officials to conduct raids across the state to check for the roadworthiness of the buses. “We’ll verify their fitness as well as documents like registration, permit, insurance and pollution-under-control certificate. We’ve decided to intensify special raids across the state and will take stringent action against violators,” said an official.

A total of 6.4 lakh of the 74.06 lakh registered vehicles in Bangalore are above 15 years old as on March. Currently the state has only one automated vehicle inspection and certification centre which is located at Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bangalore. Another centre will be setup in Mysore within a few weeks. “We’re planning to set up another centre in Dharwad. We’re unable to increase the number of centres due to shortage of funds and land,” said a transport official.

These automated centres will be conducting tests on parts such as headlights, steering, engine, breaks, PUC, suspensions, engine RPM, gear box, fuel efficiency and wheel conditions.