Kochi: The private luxury buses belonging to ‘Kallada Travels’ were caught violating speed limits as many as 2,108 times since 2013. However, the agency is yet to remit a lion’s share of the fine amount of Rs 8.43 lakh.
The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), in the wake of the recent controversy involving staff of the ‘Suresh Kallada Travels’, has initiated a process to recover the full amount.
“A total of 54 buses of Kallada Group were caught on CCTV cameras violating speed limits. When we send the notice, they will remit a small amount. Now over Rs 5 lakh of the total Rs 8.43 lakh fine is pending,” said a senior MVD official.
A fresh notice has been issued to the offices of the group, warning strict action upon failure to remit the fine in total.
“In some cases, the buses were caught speeding at 140 to 170 kmph along National Highway stretches while carrying passengers at night. A fine of Rs 400 has to be remitted each time,” the official said.
Meanwhile, sources said the luxury buses plying to destinations such as Bengaluru, Pondic-herry and Velankanni among others were used by the private operators for transporting consignments and parcels illegally. “They speed up to make up the time lost while loading and unloading parcels at different points.
Since the buses carry passengers, we couldn’t search the vehicles in detail at check-posts,” they said.
