Transport policy notified, but won’t be enforced yet

Chandigarh : The much-awaited state transport policy to check the alleged favourtism to a particular family and a lobby of transporters backed by politicians was notified today. However, its effective implementation will take at least three months. Till then, the controversial permits issued during the previous regime will continue. More than 2,000 of the existing about 6,500 bus permits were found to have been issued in violation of the rules. This number is in addition to the numerous buses plying in the state illegally.
Sources in the Transport Department said the draft of the policy was subject to approval as public could raise objections to certain clauses and give suggestions. Also, court cases on permits are pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court where the department has sought at least three months for the implementation of the new policy.
At the outset, the policy keeps a bigger share of permits for the state transport undertakings — the PRTC and Punjab Roadways. The government-run buses will have 100 per cent control on interstate and specified routes.
The policy has given government buses 40 per cent share on state highways, while both private and government buses have equal share on national highways running in the state.