Sans examiner, ‘unfit’ buses ply Jhelum’s streets

Govt investigation found agents are paid hefty sums to obtain fitness certificates

JHELUM:

Beaten up and ‘unfit’ buses have been plying on the streets of Jhelum as the motor vehicle fitness centre in the district lacks an examiner. As a result, not only have the lives of passengers been put at risk, but those not travelling the busses have also been put at risk owing to the unchecked pollutants emitted by these gas-guzzling vehicles.

A recent investigation into the state of buses and of the motor vehicle fitness centre in Dina had shown that no examiner had been appointed at the centre. On the other hand buses from the Jhelum, General Bus Stand was getting their annual, mandatory fitness certificates through ‘agents’. These agents would charge heavy fees to secure the certificates from the district traffic police.

Thereby, they not only caused a loss to the exchequer but also allowed unfit and potentially dangerous vehicles to ply on the roads. Under the law, public transport vehicles must undergo annual fitness checks, conducted by the motor vehicle fitness centres of the police. These centres check whether the vehicles are in optimum shape, if their brakes work, the vehicle meets the minimum road-legal conditions, there are no hazardous alterations made which would jeopardise the structural integrity of the vehicle, and if compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) inputs have been installed - whether they have been done so as per safety regulations and their tanks are the right kind and not too old so that they do not explode.

But with no examiner present, many vehicles are not checked for these critical elements. It has resulted in an unusual surge in accidents involving buses but has also made it difficult for passengers to travel comfortably. While the provincial government took action based on the investigation, the district government has failed to implement the measures.

Residents of Jhelum have demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and the provincial chief secretary appoint a motor vehicle examiner and issue orders for the deputation of a motor vehicle examiner and to ensure that only vehicles with safety certificates ply on the roads.