HC ban on 15-yr-old vehicles doesn’t work here
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, February 29
Even after two years since the high court had banned commercial vehicles of over 15 years of age from plying, there is no stooping these vehicles across Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Most of these vehicles have been found operating in Buddal, Darhal, Thanamandi and Shahdara Sharief in Rojouri, whereas in Poonch district such vehicles are plying in Mendhar, Surankote, Bufliaz and Mandi areas.

Owners of such vehicles, which are more susceptible to road accidents due to heavy wear and tear, have a nexus with the traffic police and the local police (which is also involved in traffic management due to less number of traffic policemen in these districts).

The owners bribe the traffic policemen and the police on a monthly basis to ply such vehicles on roads.

The Tribune investigation indicates that during last year, these over-aged vehicles have caused deadly accidents killing hundreds of passengers in these frontier districts.

Now it is found that the vehicle owners of these over aged vehicles either sell these vehicles to transporters or are themselves operating the vehicles.

Farooq Ahmed Dar, a businessman, said, “The government should implement the directions of the high court so that precious human lives are saved and the air pollution is checked.”

Transport minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen expressed his ignorance about the matter. “No one ever brought the matter to my notice. But if there is truth in your findings, we will take action,” said the transport minister.

“To start with, we will form checking squad to check whether such vehicles are plying on roads in Rajouri and Poonch.”