Karnataka Govt Moots Ban on Maxi-Cabs Ferrying Passengers in State
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, July 6:  Jolted by last week’s ghastly road accident when an overcrowded maxi-cab rammed into a bus killing 17 persons, the State Government is considering imposing a total ban on maxi-cabs ferrying passengers to avoid road accidents.

 Maxi-cabs ferrying people has become a serious problem with accidents taking place in different parts of the State besides posing a serious competition for the State Road Transport Corporation buses all over Karnataka, Transport and Home Minister R Ashok said indicating that the Government has proposed a ban on allowing passenger travel in such vehicles.

 Answering questions, Ashok clarified that maxi-cabs should not be confused with taxi-cabs. The normal permitted capacity for carrying passengers in maxi-cabs is 12. But such vehicles are mostly used for carrying goods and special permits as well as fitness certificates have to be obtained for carrying passengers.

 The minister said the district administration of Tumkur has already banned the plying of maxi-cabs for transporting passengers in the entire district.

Two officials of the Transport Department have been suspended in connection with the recent road accident in Tumkur.

Officials have been directed to step up surveillance and curb maxi-cab menace, which has gone up, especially in Mandya and Mysore districts, he said.

Twenty-five maxi-cabs were seized in Mandya district in the past few days, Ashok said.

Owners and operators of maxi-cabs transport passengers and cause road accidents, particularly on national and state highways, endangering precious lives and causing irreparable loss and damages.
``The efforts of the Transport Department as well as police in curbing such menace have been totally ineffective,” the minister said.

Roughly 10,000 people make a living by ferrying passengers in maxi-cabs in the State, he said.
Ashok said the department has decided to tighten procedures for issuing fitness certificates and seize overcrowded vehicles instead of merely slapping fine on them and letting them off because such fines do not serve as a strong deterrent.

A large number of owners of vehicles obtain permits for transporting goods and not passengers, he said.

The department has written to the Public Works Department to develop roads to provide bus services to the people residing in remote areas.

``Dependence on the public transport system in Karnataka was high compared to other states,” he said adding: ``The department has planned to operate more KSRTC buses on private routes in the coming days to curb monopoly of some private bus operators.”

Ashok, who is also the Home Minister, said the government has increased the salary of the police personnel deployed to check naxal activities in Malnad and coastal districts.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has also instructed officials to complete drinking water, electricity connection and road connectivity works in the naxal affected districts, the minister said.