CHENNAI: Amid a raging controversy over the hefty fine amounts specified in the Central government's recently amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, for various types of traffic offences and violations, Tamil Nadu Transport minister M R Vijayabhaskar has assured that the fine amounts will be slashed and kept to the minimum.
The fine amounts will be minimized in consultation with the Chief Minister, Mr. Edappadi K Palaniswami and the new fine rates will be announced shortly through a separate G.O., the minister told reporters after he held a departmental meeting led by Transport secretary, Dr J Radhakrishnan.
The minister said all arrangements were being made to play number of special buses for the public from the city to all the districts ahead of the Deepavali festival. In Chennai, five temporary bus stands will be set up, from where mofussil buses will start, he said.
Arrangements were also being made to ply additional special buses for the public to return to Chennai after the Deepavali festival.
In all this year, 10, 940 buses would run from Chennai for the Deepavali festival. Additional Special buses will also be operated for 'Ayudha pooja' also.
The advance reservations for buses for Deepavali will commence earlier this year and reservations will be available on the festival day also, he said.
The minister said action will be taken against omnibuses if they collect excessive fares on the eve of Deepavali.
“People can complain if they collect additional amount through toll free number,” he said.
He said large number of people have already welcomed introducing electric buses as they like them. In the next one year 820 electric buses will be operated in key cities, he disclosed.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mr. Edappadi K Palaniswami gave away retirement benefits to the tune of Rs 1093 crore to 6,283 retired staff of the state transport department.
