End of VIP culture? Mumbai RTOs remove amber beacons from their official vehicles

The Centre allowed only emergency vehicles on duty for maintaining law and order to use multi-coloured beacons

All four regional transport offices in Mumbai – Tardeo, Wadala, Andheri and Borivli – have removed amber beacons from their official vehicles.

To end the VIP culture, the ministry of road transport and highways recently amended the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, making use of such beacons illegal. The Centre allowed only emergency vehicles on duty for maintaining law and order, including the police, defence, paramilitary forces and fire department, to use multi-coloured beacons.

Praveen Gedam, transport commissioner of Maharashtra, said, “We have issued directives to all departments of RTOs as the new rule does not allow enforcement agencies to use beacons.”

Thane RTO is, however, still to remove the beacons, said sources.

Earlier, being an enforcement agency, RTO vehicles were allowed to used blue beacons atop of their vehicles. After an amendment to the rule, the state government allowed all law enforcement agencies to install amber beacons.

There is mixed response to the removal of beacons.

While some have welcomed the decision, some feel it might inconvenience them.