Dehradun: RTO Implements ‘Six Plus One’ Regulation for Vikrams, Cars That Are Overloaded Will Be Seized

Dehradun: Regarding Vikram cars operating in Dehradun, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and RTO administration have imposed stringent guidelines. Vikram operators are now only entitled to transport six people, and no one will be allowed to ride in the front seat near to the driver, following a High Court order.

The RTA and RTO (Administration) Secretary, Sandeep Saini, issued an order requiring operators to remove the front seat by September 10. Due to several operators’ noncompliance, the RTO issued an order on Monday stating that only Vikrams with six passengers would be permitted to run starting on Tuesday; vehicles that do not comply will be impounded.

Iron, fiberglass, or iron rods must entirely surround one side of the driver’s cabin in order to comply. Only six people may occupy the two back seats under the terms of the new permission. In the past, Vikram drivers often had two passengers in the front and eight in the back.

The action comes after the Nainital High Court mandated that all Vikrams run on a “six plus one” basis, with the driver occupying the front seat and six passengers in the back. Only once the driver’s left side is appropriately enclosed can fitness certification be awarded. Overloading will also be punished, and those discovered in the front seat will face penalties of up to Rs 20,000.

The RTO pointed out that attempts to reduce overloading had been going on for a while. In 2019, drivers removed the front seats in a same manner, but they were eventually put back. In 2021, after a lawsuit by the City Bus Union, the High Court overturned the Transport Headquarters’ decision to place all Vikrams under the “seven plus one” category.

The city’s 784 registered Vikrams are now required to abide by the “six plus one” regulation. The RTO has made it clear that offenders would face severe consequences.