When the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) launched a surprise check on Monday, little did it know one of its own vehicles would fail the emission test.
The drive, conducted jointly with the transport department, was aimed mainly at government vehicles. It began at 8.30 am. Officials randomly stopped a KSPCB vehicle. The vehicle, ferrying an official, failed the emission test.
Several government officials and drivers were taken aback when they were flagged down. A few co-operated, while others dropped the names of senior officials, judges and politicians.
Some drivers sped away so quickly their number plates could not be photographed.During the four-hour campaign, 856 vehicles were checked and 187 booked. Of them, 37 were official vehicles, belonging to prosecutors, judges and bureaucrats.
The drive is part of the pollution awareness campaign being conducted by the two departments, said Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bengaluru Urban.
"In the last 18 days, we have checked 10,000 vehicles and booked 1,100," he said.
In the last five days, the teams have checked 1,500 vehicles, 30% of which belong to the government.
"People normally assume government vehicles are not checked. But through this drive, we want to show people no one is above the law," he said.
A KSPCB official said about 30% of polluting diesel vehicles belong to government departments. Where papers are not in order, drivers are let off with a warning and notice.
Minister connection
One of the cars belonged to the personal secretary of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. Officials asked the driver to bring the vehicle's emission test certificate and other documents within seven days.
The checks will continue on Tuesday at Cubbon Park, Kalasipalyam, Electronics City, Central Silk Board, Jayanagar and Koramangala. The departments are imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 on vehicles not complying with emission standards.![]( "Officials check government vehicles in Cubbon Park on Monday. DH Photo/S K Dinesh")
When the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) launched a surprise check on Monday, little did it know one of its own vehicles would fail the emission test.
The drive, conducted jointly with the transport department, was aimed mainly at government vehicles. It began at 8.30 am. Officials randomly stopped a KSPCB vehicle. The vehicle, ferrying an official, failed the emission test.
Several government officials and drivers were taken aback when they were flagged down. A few co-operated, while others dropped the names of senior officials, judges and politicians.
Some drivers sped away so quickly their number plates could not be photographed.During the four-hour campaign, 856 vehicles were checked and 187 booked. Of them, 37 were official vehicles, belonging to prosecutors, judges and bureaucrats.
The drive is part of the pollution awareness campaign being conducted by the two departments, said Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bengaluru Urban.
"In the last 18 days, we have checked 10,000 vehicles and booked 1,100,” he said.
In the last five days, the teams have checked 1,500 vehicles, 30% of which belong to the government.
"People normally assume government vehicles are not checked. But through this drive, we want to show people no one is above the law,” he said.
A KSPCB official said about 30% of polluting diesel vehicles belong to government departments. Where papers are not in order, drivers are let off with a warning and notice.
Minister connection
One of the cars belonged to the personal secretary of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. Officials asked the driver to bring the vehicle’s emission test certificate and other documents within seven days.
The checks will continue on Tuesday at Cubbon Park, Kalasipalyam, Electronics City, Central Silk Board, Jayanagar and Koramangala. The departments are imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 on vehicles not complying with emission standards.
The drive, conducted jointly with the transport department, was aimed mainly at government vehicles. It began at 8.30 am. Officials randomly stopped a KSPCB vehicle. The vehicle, ferrying an official, failed the emission test.
Several government officials and drivers were taken aback when they were flagged down. A few co-operated, while others dropped the names of senior officials, judges and politicians.
Some drivers sped away so quickly their number plates could not be photographed.During the four-hour campaign, 856 vehicles were checked and 187 booked. Of them, 37 were official vehicles, belonging to prosecutors, judges and bureaucrats.
The drive is part of the pollution awareness campaign being conducted by the two departments, said Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bengaluru Urban.
"In the last 18 days, we have checked 10,000 vehicles and booked 1,100," he said.
In the last five days, the teams have checked 1,500 vehicles, 30% of which belong to the government.
"People normally assume government vehicles are not checked. But through this drive, we want to show people no one is above the law," he said.
A KSPCB official said about 30% of polluting diesel vehicles belong to government departments. Where papers are not in order, drivers are let off with a warning and notice.
Minister connection
One of the cars belonged to the personal secretary of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. Officials asked the driver to bring the vehicle's emission test certificate and other documents within seven days.
The checks will continue on Tuesday at Cubbon Park, Kalasipalyam, Electronics City, Central Silk Board, Jayanagar and Koramangala. The departments are imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 on vehicles not complying with emission standards.
When the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) launched a surprise check on Monday, little did it know one of its own vehicles would fail the emission test.The drive, conducted jointly with the transport department, was aimed mainly at government vehicles. It began at 8.30 am. Officials randomly stopped a KSPCB vehicle. The vehicle, ferrying an official, failed the emission test.
Several government officials and drivers were taken aback when they were flagged down. A few co-operated, while others dropped the names of senior officials, judges and politicians.
Some drivers sped away so quickly their number plates could not be photographed.During the four-hour campaign, 856 vehicles were checked and 187 booked. Of them, 37 were official vehicles, belonging to prosecutors, judges and bureaucrats.
The drive is part of the pollution awareness campaign being conducted by the two departments, said Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bengaluru Urban.
"In the last 18 days, we have checked 10,000 vehicles and booked 1,100,” he said.
In the last five days, the teams have checked 1,500 vehicles, 30% of which belong to the government.
"People normally assume government vehicles are not checked. But through this drive, we want to show people no one is above the law,” he said.
A KSPCB official said about 30% of polluting diesel vehicles belong to government departments. Where papers are not in order, drivers are let off with a warning and notice.
Minister connection
One of the cars belonged to the personal secretary of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. Officials asked the driver to bring the vehicle’s emission test certificate and other documents within seven days.
The checks will continue on Tuesday at Cubbon Park, Kalasipalyam, Electronics City, Central Silk Board, Jayanagar and Koramangala. The departments are imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 on vehicles not complying with emission standards.
