Punjab to cancel permits of trucks ferrying passengers

The road safety council in Punjab has decided to cancel the permits of trucks and tractor-trolleys ferrying passengers besides cancelling the licences of their drivers, a government spokesman said here Thursday.

"Taking cognizance of ferrying passengers in trucks, tractor-trolleys and some other vehicles, Punjab Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar said this was leading to more accidents and imposing a ban on ferrying passengers in these vehicles was needed. The council decided to put embargo on these vehicles by adopting strict measures," the spokesman said.

With the rising number of accidents in recent years involving school buses ferrying children, the transport department has directed school managements to implement safety guidelines for buses, including installation of speed governors, limiting the maximum speed of the buses to 40 km per hour.

The minister also directed the police department to strictly ban the ferrying of school children on "gharukas" (indigenously made make-shift vehicle) and check underage drivers from driving tractor-trolleys.