Karnataka Transport Department books 1,508 cases during Gauri-Ganesh festival checks

The Karnataka Transport Department booked 1,508 cases and collected more than ₹19.44 lakh in taxes and fines during a five-day special enforcement drive in Bengaluru Urban and Rural divisions to curb violations by private passenger vehicle operators during the Gauri-Ganesh festival.

The enforcement drive was conducted from September 11 to 15 following directions from the Commissioner of Transport and Road Safety. Teams were instructed to check complaints of excessive fares, overloading, permit violations and illegal transportation of passengers and goods.

In Bengaluru Urban, officials inspected 2,260 vehicles and booked 811 cases. Five vehicles were seized, while 117 permit violations were detected. The division collected ₹6.46 lakh in tax and ₹3.97 lakh in fines, totalling ₹10.44 lakh.

In Bengaluru Rural, 1,400 vehicles were checked and 697 cases were booked. Officials detected 125 permit violations and collected ₹6.39 lakh in tax and ₹2.60 lakh in fines, amounting to ₹9 lakh.

The department had specifically directed enforcement teams to act against vehicles charging fares beyond permitted rates, carrying passengers over the sanctioned capacity and transporting goods or explosives in violation of regulations.