Now, take your traffic woes directly to MVD

June 24, 2013

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K M Sree, TNN |

KOZHIKODE: The Motor Vehicle Department has embarked on a fresh mission to ensure public participation in curbing traffic rule violations. Public complaint redressal cells have been opened by officials of the department in addition to the official crackdown on erring vehicles across the state.

The new system, introduced following a directive issued by Transport Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh, enables the public to submit grievances online or directly call on the mobile numbers of officials. Besides, proposals for improving road safety may also be submitted to the redressal cells.Citizens may submit complaints directly to the deputy transport commissioner ([email protected]/ 9447218470) or RTO Kozhikode ([email protected]/ 8547639111). The complainant can also directly approach the Transport Commissioner ([email protected]/ 9446033314) if action is not taken in a month’s time.

“It is not possible to curb road rule violations merely by official vigilance. Public participation is a key element in creating awareness on the need for observing road rules,” said Kozhikode RTO Rajeev Puthalath. The new system, complaint redressal cell has already been set up at Kozhikode, he added.

Information on unfit vehicles especially stage carriage vehicles, excess fare charged by auto-taxi drivers, verbal abuse by private bus crew and all sorts of offences can be reported to the complaint cell. Complainants are requested to give specific information regarding the complaint including the registration number of the vehicle, place of occurrence and other details.

Under the new system, each cell will maintain a complaint register to record the complaint, progress of investigation and action taken. At present, we take action on receiving complaints and settle the issues but register books are not maintained in Regional Transport offices, the official said.

The Motor Vehicle Department has also intensified drive against drunken driving and use of mobile phones. Instead of issuing notice and collecting fines, MVD officials have now taken to suspending the licence of persons found using mobile phones while driving. Drunken drivers also get their licence suspended as part of the strict enforcement of road laws.

While, 313 persons have had their licence suspended for drunken driving in Kozhikode city alone in the past one month, the number of persons who had their driving license suspended for using mobile phone crossed 50 last month.

Apart from the formation of complaint redressal cells we have also decided to intensify drive against the misuse of red number plates for vehicles. “We have found that many vehicles used by semi-government organizations and cooperative institutions have been using red boards for their vehicles and action would be initiated against such vehicles,” the RTO said. A drive to nab such automobiles was launched recently and 10 vehicles were fined for using such red boards illegally, during a three day drive that concluded on Friday, the officials said.