BAJURA, Dec 26: Police have started implementing the road safety measures strictly, aiming at the smooth and lawful operation of both short- and long-distance vehicles in the district.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Uddhav Singh Bhat, police have taken up several measures including on-the-spot health check-up of drivers and conductors along with other security measures.
A police official said, “The initiative for the health examination of the drivers and conductors which was started from this Monday gives more focus on the blood pressure test though other simple health tests are carried out too.”
Under pressure
“A majority of drivers were found to have high blood pressure,” said the health workers. These tests are being carried out for both drivers and conductors. The police are conducting the blood pressure test also with an aim to know the speed of the vehicles and the behavior of the drivers.
DSP Bhat further added, “The blood pressure examination which was carried out for the public vehicles leaving Bajura for Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar and Nepalgunj is still continuing.”
The health examination process was initiated in association with the district hospital of Bajura to minimize road accidents as well as to know the drivers’ blood pressure.
“The eating habits, continuous work pressure and lack of regular health examinations cause both physical and mental problems in the drivers leading to accidents. So, as a precaution, we are carrying out the health examination of drivers and conductors”, said a traffic policeman, Janak Dani.
Apart from public transport, the health examination is being carried out for drivers owning private vehicles too. Dani further said, “Awareness programs on road accidents and their preventive methods are also being carried out.”
About 32 drivers including conductors of both private and public transportation undergo the health examination every day. In the process of examination, maximum drivers, i.e, more than 70% were found to have high blood pressure.
According to the traffic police, they also discuss with drivers, conductors and passengers from time to time for minimizing road accidents. Complaints from the passengers are also taken seriously.
Surcharged, five passengers get their fares back
After getting complaints that passengers were being surcharged, the district police office of Bajura has increased their surveillance for the long-route buses that run from Martadi to Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar and Nepalgunj. On Monday, five passengers got their fares back after the traffic police were informed that they had been surcharged. A bus with registration number Na 7 Kha 172, belonging to Jay Malika Transportation pvt Ltd leaving for Dhangadhi from Bajura and another vehicle, Na 6 Kha 1796 belonging to Pawandut Transportation leaving for Mahendranagar were reported to have surcharged their passengers.
