Nellore: Transport officials have been gearing up to contain private travel agents from fleecing passengers and taking advantage of the heavy rush during Sankranti. However, they are in a fix over how to take action against private buses belonging to other states and transporting passengers. On one hand the passengers will be stranded if they seize the bus and also the operators will disappear if they allow them to drop travellers and return to their concerned Road Transport Offices.

Moreover, RTC is not a in a position to provide buses during the festival season even if transport officials want to make alternative arrangement for grounded passengers. Deputy Transport Commissioner of Nellore N. Sivaram Prasad said “We will cancel the permits and take action against owners if passengers complain about the operators fleecing them, or other irregularities.”





He said that 40 per cent of the private travel buses belong to other states and it is very difficult to take action against them unless they are seized on the spot. But, this will inconvenience the passengers going home to celebrate the festival. “The other alternative is to send one of our staff members with the bus to bring it back. But we are short-staffed,” the DTC said.

He added that they are helpless if the public travels in buses that do not have a fitness certificate. He appealed the people to travel in either RTC or trains instead of depending on private buses. He added that they will ensure that passengers are not put through any hardship, in case the bus is seized, to avoid people from developing a hatred towards the department.

Responding to a question on operators fleecing the passengers, he said that they are deploying their 18 motor vehicle inspectors to keep a tab on their operations. “They have been asked to remain on field in their jurisdiction at toll plazas, to inspect the private travel buses for the next four days,” the DTC added.