Chennai: A joint team of transport department officials and the police conducted surprise raids at cargo warehouses of omnibus operators at Koyambedu on Monday to check if buses are transporting firecrackers.
The transport department had already warned operators that they would stand to lose their permit in case any of their buses are found transporting firecrackers. A meeting was held with bus operators, transport officials and the police on Monday where the operators were requested to not entertain transporting of explosive cargoes.
“As a preventive measure, our teams searched the warehouses and the buses. The warning seemed to have worked well as it costs about Rs 7 lakh to get a new permit and no owner would want to risk such a high amount for the petty cash he gets for transporting crackers,” Koyambedu inspector Natraj said.
However, police are also on the lookout for buses, which already operate without necessary permits and are likely to ferry crackers. Police sources said another meeting will be held with omnibus operators a week before Deepavali festival, which falls during the second week of November this year.
