1.5L vehicles in Raichur ply without registration renewal

Raichur: As many as 1,50,245 vehicles in Raichur district have not renewed their registration certificates after completing 15 years, raising concerns over road safety, vehicle fitness and pollution.According to the regional transport office (RTO), these include 1,27,090 two-wheelers, 6,415 cars, 10,378 tractors and 6,362 trailers.RTO Ikram Pasha said failure to renew registration and obtain fitness certification through the prescribed technical inspection could pose a risk to road users due to mechanical defects in ageing vehicles.Non-renewal also deprives the govt exchequer of crores of rupees in renewal fees and penalties. Ageing vehicles emitting excessive smoke add to air pollution and pose environmental and public health concerns. Pasha said some owners reportedly avoid renewing registration to escape penalties and the procedures involved.The department has warned vehicle owners to ensure that registration, insurance, fitness certificates (FC), pollution under control (PUC) certificates and driving licences are valid. Vehicles found violating the rules may attract fines and could be seized.The transport department and traffic police are likely to launch a joint special drive in the coming days against old vehicles operating without renewed registration and other mandatory documents. Violators could face hefty penalties and seizure of their vehicles.Pasha said the department has been conducting awareness programmes and meetings to encourage vehicle owners to renew documents on time.Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. Download the TOI App.