Rights panel directs RTO to act against speeding buses on Chittoor-Cheranalloor route

State Human Rights Commission chairperson Alexander Thomas has directed the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) to conduct surprise inspections of buses to curb speeding by private buses on the Chittoor-Cheranalloor route.

The direction was issued in a case registered suo motu by the Commission based on newspaper reports. The Commission asked Motor Vehicles department officials to board buses in plainclothes, against which serious allegations of competitive racing had been raised. Appropriate action should be taken based on such direct verification.

Three accidents have been reported on the particular stretch in the past two weeks. The Commission observed that since the road is narrow even two buses cannot travel side by side. Vehicles pass over a slab above the canal in Chittoor. Often, motorists in smaller vehicles escape unhurt from speeding buses only by sheer luck. Urgent measures are needed to control speeding, said panchayat member K.G. Rajesh.

The Commission directed the RTO to investigate the complaints and collect details from the panchayat member. The RTO must submit a report on the action taken at the Commission’s next sitting scheduled at the Pathadipalam Rest House on March 3. The Joint RTO must also appear at the sitting.