MVD withdraws the license of five unfit private buses in Kozhikode

A blitz inspection by the Vehicle Registration Department (MVD) in response to the increasing number of accidents on the Kozhikode-Kannur route has revealed that five private buses have problems with their roadworthiness. The vehicles have been temporarily kept off the road for passenger safety reasons.

MVD officials said bus operators have been directed to bring the vehicles for re-inspection within 14 days after mechanical and safety issues are resolved. The permit will remain suspended until the safety concerns are addressed, they added.

Similar incidents occurred a few months ago when the operators of three private buses were arrested for running without valid permits. According to the officials, the vehicles were over 15 years old and there was no way to renew their operating permits. The MVD units also uncovered numerous cases of tampered speed limiters. During the inspection, over 40 incidents were reported in Kozhikode city alone. The violations included closed emergency exits, misuse of air horns and decorative lights and use of worn-out tyres.

The reason for the lightning inspections was a recent bus accident in Elathur in which over 20 passengers were injured. The support of the Road Safety Board will be used to convert the accident-prone 350-metre stretch between Korapuzha Bridge and Elathur HPCL depot into a safe zone.

Officials of the Kozhikode Regional Transport Office said they had imposed a total fine of Rs 224,250 on the violators. Vehicle checking would continue as part of intensified measures to reduce the number of road accidents, they added.