Tamil Nadu Transport Department Cracks Down On 'Misuse' Of Two-Wheelers For Commercial Purposes

S Balasubramaniam, General Secretary of the Auto-Taxi Thozhilalar Sangam affiliated with the CITU, also called for a ban on bike taxis.

The issue has also reached the judiciary with a related case pending before the Madras High Court. 

Source : Pixabay

Tamil Nadu transport department initiated a crackdown on the alleged misuse of two-wheelers for commercial purposes on Wednesday. The crackdown comes after Transport Commissioner issued a circular on December 10 ordering Zonal officers and Regional Transport Offices to ensure full implementation of Motor Vehicles Act and Rules. It also comes after Tamil Nadu Road Transport Workers Association and autorickshaw and taxi drivers complained that the vehicles possessing personal use permits were used for commercial activities. 

They also said that the use not only violated the Motor Vehicles Act but also impacted their livelihoods.

S Balasubramaniam, General Secretary of the Auto-Taxi Thozhilalar Sangam affiliated with the CITU, called for a ban on bike taxis. He suggested that the government launch an auto ride-hailing app, as per a report on IANS. Drivers in tourist hotspots like Yercaud have raised similar concerns about the growing prevalence of bike rentals which creates a dent on their earnings.

Responding to these concerns, the Transport Commissioner instructed field officers to ensure that riders adhere to the existing rules. Currently, zonal and district transport officers are also required to submit daily reports on their enforcement activities. Officials have begun imposing fines on violators, targeting bike rental services operating without proper approvals.

Salem East Regional Transport Officer D. Damodharan issued a warning to tourists and advised them against using rental bikes as they are not government-approved.

The crackdown has been especially welcomed by local drivers in tourist hubs like Yercaud. Suresh Babu, a call taxi driver from Othakadai, stated, "Tourists traditionally preferred autos or taxis for local travel, but the emergence of bike rentals last year has severely impacted our income." 

The issue has also reached the judiciary, with a related case pending before the Madras High Court.