In an emergency meeting convened today at Doda, the All Transport Association District Doda expressed concerns over what they perceive as increasing regulatory burdens imposed by the district administration. Chief among the issues discussed was a recent directive stipulating a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h for all vehicles on the road.
Transporters argued that the specified speed limits contradicted contractual agreements with vehicle manufacturers, which typically set speeds higher than the mandated limit. The association asserted that adherence to the new speed restrictions would be impractical and called for a reevaluation of the imposed limits. Participants emphasized that the district administration should prioritize addressing road conditions rather than restricting vehicle speeds.
Another contentious issue raised during the meeting was the order to install CCTV cameras in vehicles, The Chenab Times reported earlier. The All Transport Association District Doda contended that this directive lacked a legal basis in the Motor Vehicles Department Act (MVD-Act). Questions were posed regarding the control and monitoring of these cameras, highlighting the absence of a designated control room.
Furthermore, transporters expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s alleged targeting of previously approved vehicles, citing instances of undue harassment in the form of identifying defects in vehicles that had previously received clearance. The association called for a reconsideration of these orders before the next meeting.
As a sign of protest, the All Transport Association District Doda declared that vehicles across the district would not operate on roads starting from Monday. This decision was formalized in a resolution where all transport associations within the district affixed their respective signatures. The resolution has been submitted to the district administration for their consideration.
The All Transport Association District Doda asserted their right to peaceful protest and appealed to the administration to address their grievances. The resolution outlined the concerns raised during the meeting and urged a collaborative and constructive dialogue between the transporters and the district administration to find equitable solutions.
Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times