SURAT, Sept 30: The Road Safety Council seems to have learnt the rules of the road in Surat, where they are observed more in breach. This was evident in its Tuesday meeting after which it did not issue a single new fatwa, after experimenting with quite a few in the past; all of which came a cropper.The threats to three-wheelers for making them ply by the meter, or the one on making it mandatory for autorickshaws to have meters in the first place; or the one on taking action against users of mobile while driving.. have all remained only on paper.The meeting was told by Surat Municipal Corporation's executive engineer N Vaidya that the civic body had given permission for installation of automatic traffic signals at Ramnagar Char Rasta, Bhavar Fire Station, Circuit House, Ambikaniketan, Delhi Gate, Ramchowk, Bhulka Bhavan, Moti Talkies, Navsari Bazaar and Timliawad.Regional Transport Officer K M Patel said Rs 1.34 lakh in fine was collected from autorickshaw drivers for overcharging, while Rs 42,000 was recovered for overloading in 74 cases.Presiding over the meeting, Police Commissioner Maniram said the traffic police had targeted Chhakdas plying in the city, especially Varachha area and Rs 2300 in fine was collected from them. He said the traffic department has been asked to take steps to ensure smooth movement of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian.The Road Transport Officials told the meeting that private vehicles were also booked for overloading and they were slapped a total fine of Rs 1.37 lakh. Also, 27 vehicles without Pollution Under Control certificates were booked and prosecution started against them.Additional Commissioner of Police C Surendra Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police G S Rao, Assistant Police Commissioner C J Rathod, Deputy General Manager of Surat Telecom L B Yadav, deputy executive engineer J B Vaghasia were among others, who attended the meeting.
