Walkie-talkies to nab errant motorists

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 13. Vehicle users beware! The Motor Vehicles Department would be using walkie-talkies from November 15 to book motorists who give the slip to inspecting officials during checking on the roads.

At present, erring motorists are able to evade inspecting officials at busy spots as information regarding the registration number and other particulars of the vehicles cannot be passed on quickly to checking points elsewhere.

The officials say that with the introduction of the walkie- talkies, erring motorists can be booked as soon as they cross the checking point without stopping.

Ten VHF walkie-talkies have already been purchased by the department at a total cost of Rs. 1.30 lakhs. A pair of walkie- talkies would be handed over to each of the four zones of the department and one pair to the Regional Transport Officer here.

The State Transport Commissioner, Mr. K.P. Somarajan, today launched the facility by handing over a pair of walkie-talkies to the Road Transport Officer (RTO), Mr. P.D. Sukumaran.

Weighing 420 grams, the compact set, each costing Rs. 13,000, covers a range of five to eight square km, depending upon the terrain. All the four zones of the department in the State would be covered by the sets.

The MVD has remitted the required fee and obtained licence from the Wireless Planning Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunication for operating the walkie-talkies.

"As the State is observing Road Safety Month, the walkie-talkies would come in handy for the Department officials to enforce the rules effectively during the next 15 days,'' the Transport Commissioner said.

More walkie-talkie sets would be procured by the department this year itself.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Search continues for body
Next     : AIADMK withdraws support to Pondy Ministry