Use of cellphones by MTC drivers goes unabated, puts lives at stake

K Anbazhagan, joint secretary of Nethaji Transport Workers Union and former MTC conductor, recounted a recent incident, which he said reflected the  lax attitude of supervising authorities.  

“I took an MTC bus, plying on the route 88k between Broadway and Porur. I noticed the driver using his mobile, following which I rang up an official in the MTC accident branch to register a complaint. I gave details like bus number and timing. But an official called me back little later and denied any such incident.”

Sources told DTNext that officials from MTC’s accident branch, tasked with monitoring drivers by conducting surprise raids, fail in their responsibility. Furthermore, they instruct the Checking Inspectors (CIs) to take on the additional charge of identifying drivers who violate the guideline. “If only accident branch officials were working properly, more number of violators could be punished,” the source said. 

However, MTC officials maintained that they take immediate actions against erring drivers. They said suspension from service and cut in salary and increment are given as punishments. 

A senior official of MTC, on condition of anonymity, said, “We periodically send circulars to all branch managers for alerting drivers not to use cellphones while driving. Also, we take action against 100 odd drivers every year for violating the guideline.”