In the aftermath of a tragic fatal road accident in Baripada, the Odisha Transport Department has launched an aggressive statewide crackdown on vehicles operating without valid Fitness Certificates, Permits and Insurance.
A preliminary inquiry into the Baripada crash revealed that both vehicles involved were plying without valid Fitness Certificates — a serious violation that directly endangered public safety. Taking serious note of the incident, the Government has directed immediate and stringent enforcement measures across the state.
In an official order (No. 12082/TC) issued today, Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the State Transport Authority has directed all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Additional RTOs of Rairangpur and Barbil, and Assistant RTO Khordha to launch continuous special enforcement drives with immediate effect.
Key directives include:
- Continuous special drives to detect vehicles without valid Fitness Certificate, Permit and Insurance.
- Obtaining expiry lists directly from the VAHAN portal for targeted checks.
- Special focus on mechanically unfit vehicles violating the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Prompt legal action, including seizure of vehicles and suspension/cancellation of Registration Certificates (RC).
- Immediate initiation of proceedings for suspension/cancellation of registration of vehicles found operating without valid Fitness Certificates and posing road safety risks.
- Strict action against transport vehicles running without valid Permits or Insurance.
- Weekly submission of enforcement reports to the Transport Commissioner’s office for monitoring.
The Zonal Deputy Commissioners (Enforcement) have also been asked to conduct special drives across their jurisdictions, while all District Collectors have been directed to closely monitor compliance.
Minister of Commerce & Transport, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, has personally directed that the registration of the two vehicles involved in the Baripada accident be cancelled immediately. He has also ordered stricter checks on insurance and permit compliance to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Transport Department has made it clear that public safety remains the top priority. Continuous, rigorous enforcement will continue across Odisha to remove unfit and illegal vehicles from the roads.
This decisive action sends a strong message: there will be zero tolerance for vehicles that compromise the safety of Odisha’s citizens.
