Jammu : Following the reports of overcharging of fare by the travel agencies and use of tinted glasses/curtains in Buses, DIG Traffic Range Jammu, Dr. Mohammad Haseeb Mughal on Monday visited Bus Stand Jammu to check the fares being charged from the interstate passengers owing to shortage of passenger vehicles due to ongoing festive season.
The DIG was accompanied by SSP Traffic City Jammu Mohammad Fiesel Qureshi, Arvinder Singh Kotwal, Addl. SP Traffic City Jammu, Anubhuti, Dy. SP Traffic City North Jammu, Vikram Singh Bhau, SDPO City North Jammu, SHO P/S Bus Stand and DTI Bus Stand Jammu.
The DIG inspected the travel operators’ stalls, offices and checked the rate lists for services on different routes being plying by them. During the exercise it was found that Rate lists are missing from these stalls, offices.
After on the spot interaction, the travel operators were asked to display the government approved Rate lists at Prominent places within three Days, failing which strict legal action shall be initiated against them.
During the inspection, the DIG checked the counter foils of most of the dealers/operators of the travel agencies to verify the overcharging of fares. He strictly asked the travel agency operators to charge only Government approved rates for the different destinations otherwise face legal action.
They were also asked to comply with the road safety guidelines of the Supreme Court of India issued in the case titled Avishek Goenka Vs Union of India & Anr 2012.
They were told that use of black films or any other material upon safety glass, windscreen and side windows is impermissible, as directed by the SC.
The DIG Traffic Jammu further directed Dy. SP Traffic City North Jammu/DTI Bus Stand to install helpline numbers of Traffic Police at conspicuous places for public assistance and grievances regarding the overcharging of fare issue.
During the inspection of records of the travel agencies, the GST filing was also found lacking.
The Dy.SP Traffic City North Jammu, SHO P/S Bus Stand Jammu and DTI Bus Stand Jammu were directed to verify the authenticity and registration of each travel agency to ensure that the registration conditions of travel agencies are fulfilled to avoid any chaos and confusion and to ensure transparency in the transaction process in this regard.
DIG Traffic Range Jammu also said that since Jammu City is famous for religious tourism, necessary directions have been given to the field traffic Police officer that no unregistered and illegal operation of travel agency be allowed to operate at Bus Stand Jammu. DIG Traffic Jammu said that the inspection tour has been conducted for the convenience and safety of the commuters.
The DIG Traffic Jammu said that SSP Traffic City has also been directed to ensure that the fare rate list and the traffic Police helpline numbers be displayed in the Bus stand premises near ticket counters for the awareness of the general public.
Such drives, tours, inspection of Tour operators shall be conducted on regular intervals so as to make the Tour Operators fully compliant of the government norms and directives. The DIG sought the cooperation of all such stakeholders so as to make the drive purposeful and satisfying for the commuters.
