Indore: While politicians are busy in publicising their act of removing beacons and hooters from their vehicles, many of the administrative officials do not want leave the ‘VIP’ mark as they are still using hooters on their vehicles.
On Friday, Bhopal Mayor removed hooters from his vehicle and the news was positively circulated by his team of public relations and by his supporters. But, in Indore the collector, SDMs, health officers, municipal corporation zonal heads and ‘Babus’ all are enjoying the VIP status by blaring hooters while moving in streets.
The Central Motor Vehicle Rules does not provide for use of siren and hooters in any vehicle. Under Section 119 of the CMVR, exceptions are made for ambulances, fire brigades and construction equipment vehicles besides those used by police.
Deputy transport commissioner Sanjay Soni stated that the Madhya Pradesh Motor Vehicle Rule’s clause 185 gives permission to executive magistrates to use hooters.
However, the MPMVR 1994 clause 185 (3) Prohibition or Restriction on the Use of Audible Signals states “The provisions of sub-rule (1) and (2) shall not apply to the driver of a Fire Brigade while proceeding to extinguish fire or the driver of an ambulance while carrying a serious patient or the driver of a vehicle in which the Chief Justice of India or of any State or the Judge of Supreme Court or the Judge of any High Court is travelling.” (as uploaded on the Madhya Transport Department’s website)
Nothing has been mentioned in the rule about the right to use the hooters by the District Magistrate or by the Sub Divisional Magistrate.
“Only the officials of RTO failed to see vehicles using hooters and sirens illegally while we can see many vehicles plying with them on the roads. They are not even following the orders of Prime Minister,” choreographer Mahim Kashyap said.
He said that one of the vehicles was irritating by blaring siren behind me on a signal and could not do anything.
The officials of regional transport office are in slumber and stopped commenting on the issue and they did not even respond to messages in social media, he added. Similarly, businessman Vipul Jain said that the Prime Minister is willing to eliminate VIP culture but the Babus don’t want to.
“What is the problem in being a common man? If Prime Minister can remove the beacon and hooters, then why don’t the Babus do it? Many people are taking undue advantage of hooters.”
Ankur Upadhyay, Professional
“Beacons and hooters are the only symbols of VIP culture. Everyone should follow the PM’s advice and take the cause forward.”
