Govt depts continue to use condemned vehicles

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 27: Government departments continue to violate the norms set by the transports department which has put restriction on use of vehicles more than 25 years of age.

According to the sources most of the departments which includes Public Health Engineering (PHE), Power Development Department (PDD) as well as State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) department are still using vehicles which are more than two decade old, but the transport department is not taking any action against the same.

Sources further said that these vehicles causing problem to the drivers as well as the mechanical department which has the responsibility to repair the vehicles.

“The government has also made in compulsory for passengers and commercial vehicles aged between 15 to 25 of age to undergo fitness test after every six years” they disclosed.

The drivers of the heavy vehicles are also showing their resentment on using these over aged vehicles as they are forced to drive these outdated vehicles leaving under constant threat of life.

Due to these outdated vehicles running on the roads many people lost their precious lives in several road accidents marking a question mark to the working of the concern authorities.

When contacted Minister for Transport, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan said that at several times the department has asked to the other government departments to replace their outdated vehicles.

“Notwithstanding to courts order the government departments has advocated that the order should not be imposed on government departments as the vehicles possessed by them were not used for years due to disturbance in the valley and they appealed for relaxation from the said order” he said.

The minister however, refuting the statement and said that the SRTC department has replaced all their vehicles running on roads from the last more than 25 years.