Double parking: Private bus operators cry foul over traffic police action

The association of private bus operators has written to education minister Deepak Kesarkar, who holds the additional charge of transport, alleging that their buses are being arbitrarily stopped and action taken against the drivers in the name of double parking even while they are waiting for a traffic signal or exiting a fuel station

The association of private bus operators has written to education minister Deepak Kesarkar, who holds the additional charge of transport, alleging that their buses are being arbitrarily stopped and action taken against the drivers in the name of double parking even while they are waiting for a traffic signal or exiting a fuel station.

Mumbai, India - March 21, 2023: Commuters travels by private buses on the Western Express Highway, at Andheri (East), in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO)

Nearly 700 buses have already been issued challans while 100 drivers have been booked under section 283 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation) of the Indian Penal Code, Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana has said in the letter.

The traffic police’s action came after the issue of private buses resorting to double parking (two buses are parked together), or parking on the wrong side of the road was raised in the assembly.

“All buses, be it for tourists, school students, office goers, or those leaving the airport are stopped and drivers are taken to the local police station. This not only leads to traffic chaos on roads but also inconveniences the passengers,” the letter said.

“If this is how our buses are stopped then why doesn’t the government provide parking space? We are now worried to take bookings from Mumbai,” Malik Patel, member of the Sanghatana, said.

The Sanghatana claims they are ready to pay fines for traffic violations, but this is uncalled for as they are losing business.

On Tuesday evening, association members met traffic police officers to resolve this issue.

Later, Harsh Kotak from the Sanghatana said they had been assured that their buses would hence not be stopped without a reason, and they would also come up with a solution within two days.

These bus and car operators running on commercial purposes were already facing issues due to confusion over installation of speed governors and then the strike by state government employees, including those working in RTOs, over the old pension scheme.