Crackdown on govt bus violations as free travel dispute continues to rage | Chennai News - Times of India

Source: The Times of India
Author: Ram Sundaram

Chennai: Amid the ongoing conflict between state transport corporations and police over free commutes in govt buses, law enforcers have started penalising buses for various offences.

In the last 24 hours, 22 buses in no-parking zones opposite Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) in Kilambakkam have been fined. Earlier, Tambaram police had warned buses not to stop at unauthorized stretches on Chennai-Trichy national highway as they were obstructing traffic.Those that ignored this warning to drop passengers were each fined 1,000 on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Semmencherry, a govt mofussil bus on Chennai-Puducherry route was penalized 1,000 for a parking offence and obstructing vehicular movement. In another incident, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) driver Subramanian was fined 1,000 for not stopping at the designated spot. In other parts of TN, cases were reported for overloading buses with passengers and overspeeding.

Police, who had been lenient towards traffic offences committed by govt buses until now, have suddenly tightened their enforcement after the Nanguneri incident received mixed responses on social networking sites.

Three days ago, a video showing a constable in Tirunelveli refusing to buy a ticket and arguing with the conductor went viral. The state transport department clarified the next day that only officers with a warrant can travel for free.

BJP state president K. Annamalai said chief minister M K Stalin announced in 2021-22 that all police personnel could travel for free in govt buses, but that govt buses have failed to implement this. TNSTC employees argue that this exemption applies only when police travel within the same district, and in this case, the bus was connecting the neighboring districts of Tuticorin and Kanyakumari.