Kochi’s motor vehicles department detected 80 violations and collected around Rs 1.30 lakh in fines during a special inspection targeting racing, speeding and dangerous driving by private buses in the city and surrounding areas on Thursday, according to the Times of India report.
The inspection followed complaints from passengers and members of the public about private buses being driven dangerously, including reports of racing and speeding. Five squads of Motor Vehicles Department officials conducted checks at major locations including Ernakulam, Kaloor, Aluva, Vyttila, Tripunithura and Thevara.
The violations covered both driving practices and compliance with operating rules. Officials found buses operating in violation of permit conditions, vehicles being driven by people without valid licences, and instances of trip curtailment. Other violations included driving in a manner that endangered passengers, operating with doors left open, unauthorised vehicle modifications, concealing registration number plates and using music systems.
The enforcement teams also specifically examined dangerous practices affecting passengers waiting along busy routes. These included buses speeding past designated bus stops without halting and racing with other vehicles, the department said. Such practices can directly affect passengers trying to board or leave buses and can create additional risks on crowded urban roads.
Action was taken against the vehicles and drivers involved in the violations, officials said. The department did not provide a vehicle-wise or driver-wise breakdown of the penalties in the report, nor did it specify how many cases related to each type of violation. The total amount collected during the inspection was around Rs 1.30 lakh.
The operation highlights the enforcement challenge created by private bus services operating across multiple high-demand corridors. The locations covered by the squads include major interchange, commercial and residential areas across Kochi and its suburbs, where buses share roads with cars, two-wheelers, pedestrians and other public transport services.
Passenger complaints were the trigger for the special inspection. Ernakulam enforcement RTO Biju Isaac said complaints received from passengers and the public regarding racing and speeding by private buses would be examined and followed by further action. The statement indicates that the department is treating public reports as an input for enforcement rather than limiting inspections to routine checks.
The MVD said inspections would continue in the coming days, with checks to be intensified on major bus routes and in busy areas. The next phase of enforcement will determine whether the violations identified during Thursday’s operation were isolated findings or part of a wider pattern across Kochi’s private bus network.