Kochi police seize three private buses as drivers found allegedly drunk; 35 offences detected in special drive

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The Kochi City police on Monday seized three private buses after their drivers were allegedly found to be drunk. The cases were detected during a special enforcement drive conducted in and around Kakkanad and Thrikkakara from 5.30 a.m. to 8 a.m., according to the police.

As many as 132 buses were inspected as part of the drive, and 35 offences were detected, including drunken driving.

“The drivers who were found to be under the influence of alcohol were arrested, and the buses were seized and produced before the court. Steps will now be taken to suspend the licences of the drivers,” Bijoy Chandran, ACP, Thrikkakara, said.

The police have launched a series of special drives in the wake of the recent fatal accident in which a woman pedestrian was run over by an allegedly speeding bus near Kakkanad. The police had come under severe criticism from the High Court for failing to rein in rash driving and unruly behaviour by a section of private bus employees.

District Police Chief (Kochi city) R. Nishanthini said on Monday that strict action was being taken against erring private bus employees. She said the drive to issue police clearance certificates (PCCs) to all private bus employees would be completed without delay.

“I have learnt that around 1,200 applications have been received from bus employees for PCCs as part of the drive. Steps will be taken to issue the certificates within a week. A meeting of stakeholders has been convened to discuss the further steps regarding the drive, including collecting details of the remaining employees,” the officer said.