GUWAHATI, Jan 29 � Expressing concern over the failure of the government authorities to enforce traffic rules and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act-1988 in the city as well as the State, public activist Prof Deven Dutta today said that the authorities' indifferent and inaction was aggravating the situation vis-�-vis road accidents.
In a statement, Prof Dutta said that the illegal practice of parking buses, city buses, school buses, trekkers, etc., for a major part of the day and night by roadside was largely responsible for perennial traffic congestions and also a major cause of road mishaps.
Prof Dutta said that while the law mandates prominent display of names and addresses of commercial vehicles on their bodies, few vehicle owners adhere to the practice.
"People have a legitimate right to know which provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act allow such blatant aberrations of the law. What is happening on the roads is utter chaos with patronage from the government authorities, including the Transport Department and the police. The Transport Minister, in particular, owes an explanation to the people," Prof Dutta said.
Prof Dutta said that the people also had the right to know how many drivers and owners of vehicles responsible for accidents had been punished and in what manner in the last ten years. People have genuine doubts that matters proceed little beyond registering of a case.
Prof Dutta also questioned why the driver of the school bus that killed a person on January 25 had not been arrested till date.
Prof Dutta also criticized the political parties and various organizations including student organizations, for their silence, saying that their silence on such matters of vital public interest was shocking.
