Udupi: More than a month after the June 1 deadline set by the district administration for the installation of mandatory folding-type doors on all private buses operating in the city, several buses continue to ply without complying with the safety directive, raising concerns over the enforcement of the order.
Around 60% of buses comply with directive
Speaking to Daijiworld, Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials are inspecting buses and imposing fines on those operating without the mandatory folding-type doors.
He said that around 60 per cent of the private buses are currently operating with the required doors.
The SP further stated that strict action would also be taken when buses are presented for renewal of their Fitness Certificate (FC) if they fail to install the mandatory safety feature.
Deadline expired on June 1
The district administration had earlier declared June 1 as the final deadline for installing folding-type doors on all private buses.
Authorities had warned that buses failing to comply would face cancellation of their Fitness Certificates and that non-compliant vehicles operating after the deadline could also be seized as part of the enforcement drive.
The directive was issued as part of efforts to improve passenger safety and prevent accidents involving commuters boarding or alighting from moving buses.
Non-compliant buses continue to operate
Despite the expiry of the deadline by more than a month, several private buses without folding-type doors continue to operate on city routes.
The continued violations have raised questions over the effectiveness of enforcement and whether the district administration’s warnings are being implemented on the ground.
Passengers and road safety advocates have expressed concern that delays in enforcing the directive could compromise commuter safety and weaken confidence in regulatory measures.
Operators had agreed to comply
Private bus operators had earlier assured the district administration that all vehicles would be fitted with folding-type doors within the extended deadline.
They had also agreed not to object to enforcement measures against buses found violating the order after June 1.
However, with a significant number of buses yet to comply, authorities continue to rely on inspections, fines and Fitness Certificate renewals to ensure adherence to the safety regulations.
Officials maintain that enforcement will continue until all buses operating in the city are equipped with the mandatory folding-type doors, ensuring a safer public transport system for commuters.