U'khand police to launch drive against overloading

The Uttarakhand Police will tomorrow launch a statewide drive against overcrowded public transport vehicles, days after 48 people were killed when an overloaded bus fell into a deep gorge in Pauri district.

During the fortnight-long drive, penal action will be taken against public transport drivers found carrying more passengers than the capacity of their vehicles, Additional Director General (Law and order) Ashok Kumar said.

It will include issuance of challans, cancellation of driving licenses and impounding vehicles, he added.

On July 1, a 28-seater bus, which was carrying 58 passengers, fell into a 200 metre deep gorge killing 45 people on the spot and injuring 13.

Expressing concern over the growing number of road accidents in the state, the Uttarakhand High Court had asked the state government to strictly enforce provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and take stern action against violators.