Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, September 21:
Alert passengers! Next time if you want to safely move around in mini buses in the Nagaland capital, better look out for buses bearing '�TESTED OK'stickers on the buses issued by the Regional Transport Authority (RTO), Kohima.
This move of the RTO has been prompted by frequent accidents of vehicles due to mechanical failures.
The RTO Kohima started issuing the stickers to the mini buses which are in excellent running condition to ensure public safety and smooth flow of traffic without mechanical failures.
Mezayi Tetseo, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Kohima said that the department's intention is to work for public interest and to avoid injuries and deaths through accidents, so also curtail vehicle breakdown due to mechanical failure.
The exercise will be over by end of this month.
Officials also informed that those busses without the 'Tested OK' stickers would be straightway phased out, without any fine imposition, unlike other times.
Moreover, they also warned that buses running without sticker would be detained, along with driver and conductor, by first week of October.
President of Mini Bus Owners Union (MBOU), Ravolelie Rutsa appreciated the move of the department which he felt, would beautify the town and for safety of the passengers.
"Since they are doing it for our welfare, we extend our whole hearted cooperation", he added.
The next move of the department would be to phase out taxis and the Manipur oil tankers, official sources said.
Reacting to this proposal, the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) general secretary, Keneingulie Rutsa said that if the state government implements it well, it is good for public as well as for the taxis.
He also informed that the standard taxi rates would be fixed soon after a meeting with the State Government.