KOZHIKODE: Looking to avoid paying toll penalty for insufficient balance, a KSRTC bus driver drove around 3km in reverse on the busy Kozhikode bypass of NH-66 recently, an act that has triggered widespread criticism for endangering public safety.
Swinging into action after video of the driver’s irresponsible manoeuvre in broad daylight on June 4 was circulated, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) said it was preparing to issue a stern show-cause notice to the KSRTC.
The state-run carrier initiated strict action, too, with chairman and managing director Pramoj Shankar declaring on Tuesday that both the driver and conductor on duty on board the Neyyattinkara-Kannur Superfast service have been terminated.
“A detailed departmental investigation is currently under way to determine further action,” he said.
The shocking violation occurred around 3pm on June 4, while the KSRTC Superfast bus was moving from Kozhikode towards Ramanattukara. Upon reaching the Olavanna toll plaza in Pantheerankavu, the driver realised that the vehicle’s FASTag account had insufficient balance to pay the fee. Instead of sorting the matter out, the driver started driving the bus in reverse, backing it into oncoming traffic.
The driver initially stuck to the high-speed lane of the highway. As motorists honked frantically and flashed headlights, the driver steered the bus onto the slow-moving traffic lane. All this continued for nearly 3km until the bus reached a designated exit point towards the service road. Here, too, the driver executed a sharp, wide turn, blocking the bypass and triggering a traffic gridlock.
“The driver and conductor said they did not have enough balance to pay and that they were not allowed to pass as toll plaza authorities had tightened rules,” a KSRTC Kozhikode depot transport officer said. Officials said the department’s vigilance wing has launched an investigation and will also examine the reason for the low FASTag balance on the long-distance bus
The entire episode was captured by surveillance cameras of the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) placed along the stretch. The visuals have been handed over to the Kerala Police and the MVD as primary evidence.
“Strict disciplinary proceedings are under way against the driver and conductor, with punitive measures expected to include immediate suspension of their driving license. Rules and regulations on toll collection do not fall under our jurisdiction,” said Jebi Cherian, Enforcement RTO, Kozhikode.
