NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JAN 11
Chennai police have warned of stringent action against the omnibus operators who charge exorbitant fare during Pongal festival here on Friday.
Ahead of Pongal festival holidays, a meeting of the city traffic police with the officers of the State Express Transport Corporation, TNSTC and Omnibus operators was held on Friday night.
An officer in charge of the traffic in Greater Chennai Corporation said that elaborate arrangements have been made to reduce traffic congestion as more special buses are being operated for the Pongal festival from this weekend until January 21. The buses should park at designated places and load only the permitted number of passengers. “The operators should not park their vehicles at random causing traffic blocks on the roads. Strong action will be taken against the operators if they fail to follow our instructions. Omnibus operators should not fleece commuters. If anyone is found collecting beyond permitted fare, action will be taken against the operator,’’ the official said.
Police officials have warned that stringent action will be taken against omnibus operators who park their vehicles in non-designated areas and overload buses.
The State Transport Department operates more than 16,000 buses from various locations in Chennai to tackle the holiday rush during the Pongal festival week. Besides these, a sizeable number of omnibuses are operated by private operators. The transport department and the city police have taken efforts to reduce traffic congestion in view of rush over the holidays.
