25 commercial vehicles seized, 100 challaned: SSP Traffic Rural; DySP Traffic launches special drive in Pulwama

PAMPORE: Traffic Rural Kashmir conducted a major crackdown to impound commercial vehicles violating the Motor Vehicles Act by carrying excess passengers. The crackdown was initiated after the Uri accident, where 10 passengers lost their lives and others were injured after a vehicle carrying passengers skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge on Thursday.
SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir Ravinder Pal Singh, along with DySP Traffic Pulwama-Shopian Dr Mudasser Tramboo, issued over 100 challans on the Shopian-Pulwama road in Pulwama and seized vehicles for carrying excess passengers.
The drive has been rigorously enforced since morning, resulting in the seizure of more than twenty-five vehicles carrying excess passengers across all Rural districts of the Kashmir Valley, traffic police officials told Kashmir Reader.
SSP Singh urged commuters/passengers to directly contact traffic authorities if commercial vehicles are observed carrying excess passengers, as this is a potential precursor to fatal accidents.
During the drive, Ravinder Singh along with Dr Mudasser raised awareness among passengers, encouraging them to intervene if a driver in a passenger vehicle engages in overloading. This proactive step is crucial in preventing accidents often caused by overloading.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, SSP Traffic Rural said that yesterday’s accident in Uri resulted in the tragic death of around 10 passengers, due to overloading. “The roads in our region, including internal link roads like the one in Uri, often face congestion beyond their capacity, contributing to accidents. The location of the accident in Uri was a link road with slippery conditions, warranting attention,” he said.
He added, “The most important thing is that whenever drivers maintain the speed limit, and passengers notice overloading in our vehicles, they can contact us. We will take action against those reported. I have instructed all my officers to adopt a tough approach in the future to prevent such incidents. We will handle the situation robustly. Accordingly, those found violating reloading regulations with more than two challans may face the cancellation of their Driving License (DL) and Registration Certificate (RC).”
Singh said on Thursday, we conducted a special drive, continuing our efforts from last year. “Our primary goal is to hold drivers accountable for overloading, and we are actively raising awareness among passengers. We emphasize to passengers that if a sumo vehicle is allowed 7 or 8 passengers, they should not exceed that limit. In case of overloading, contact traffic police officials, including DySPs and DTIs, and we will take action against those drivers,” he said.
Ravinder Pal requested all drivers to ensure that they have all the necessary documents complete. He said drivers should refrain from operating their vehicles without fitness, and pollution checks should be up to date. It is essential to have valid insurance as well, he added.
“My motive, and it will remain so, is zero tolerance for overloading. We will not tolerate it anywhere, and in the coming days, there will be increased strictness. Today, this drive is happening in every district, and we have already seized 20 to 25 commercial vehicles due to overloading. My request is for everyone to improve themselves; you belong to the same society. If an accident occurs due to your actions, forgiveness will not be granted,” he said.

BILAL HABIB