RTO official acts against unsafe BMTC buses, shifted out

BENGALURU: A senior motor vehicle inspector, who cancelled fitness certificates of 21 BMTC buses, has been shifted out of the transport department’s enforcement wing to the border check post in Attibele.  Known as a no-nonsense officer N Kariyappa, who has also taken tough action against several private bus operators, was reportedly targeted for enforcing stringent action against BMTC buses that violated safety norms.

On his last day as the special enforcement squad inspector, Kariyappa also went on an overdrive: seizing 10 private buses and booking 178 cases against other private vehicles for various violations in Jayanagar. Sources told Express that there was lot of pressure on him from various quarters after he issued notices against BMTC buses ferrying students for non-compliance with Supreme Court safety norms. On Wednesday, Kariyappa cancelled fitness certificates of 21 buses that were ferrying students of a private school as they didn’t follow SC guidelines. 

This obviously did not go down well with some politicians and senior government officials, including BMTC officials, who felt the action against their buses may defame the government. And, they decided that Kariyappa had to go from the enforcement squad of the transport department as early as possible. 

Speaking to Express, Kariyappa said: “I received a letter from deputy transport commissioner-cum-senior RTO (Jayanagar) on Thursday saying that I have been relieved from the enforcement duty with immediate effect. I was part of this special enforcement squad for nearly three years. But I don’t know the reason behind the sudden removal from the squad,” he said.

“I don’t have any regrets as I have done my best. I will join Attibele check post and continue my work,” he added. 

Sources say BMTC officials are unhappy after Kariyappa took action against its buses. BMTC operates more than 200 buses for over 40 private schools across the city. Many of the buses don’t have first-aid box, fire extinguisher, side safety grills or CCTV cameras and have damaged seats and broken windshields, all going against the Supreme Court guidelines. However, Ekroop Caur, managing director of BMTC, maintains that all the buses ferrying students follow safety guidelines.

Kariyappa was also a headache to private bus operators as he was very strict in enforcing rules. “He never used to buckle under pressure. He has taken strict action against cab operators fleecing commuters as also against private bus operators transporting hazardous goods in buses,” said another official in the transport department. 

However, a senior transport official defended the action. “We can draw him from Attibele check post whenever there is a special  inspection or when there is shortage of staff,” said Gnanendra Kumar, joint commissioner transport (Bangalore Urban).