Odisha STA for stringent action against erring drivers

Cuttack, Sep 12: Following the death of 19 persons in a bus accident in Odisha's Angul district, the authorities today, in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents, said stringent action will be taken against erring drivers.

Transport Commissioner-cum-chairman of State Transport Authority (STA) Chadrasekhar Kumar today issued a circular elaborating the stringent measures against erring drivers.

After Angul Regional Transport Officers' report said the bus accident occurred as its driver was talking over mobile phone, the authorities after discussions with private bus and truck owners decided, the enforcement squad will impound the licence if the driver is found talking over phone while driving.

It was also decided that speed limiting devices will be installed in every bus and truck October 31 to check overspeeding, officials said. The enforcement squads would also keep a watch on habitual offenders and drunk drivers and take stringent action like suspending their licenses.

Toll free numbers would also be displayed in buses to enable passengers lodge complaints, they said.

PTI