Nearly 82 per cent of public transport vehicles in Delhi-NCR are plying without “fitness certificate”, 78 per cent do not have registration certificate, and 79 per cent are running without pollution certificate, says a survey by industry body Assocham.

The survey undertaken by the chamber in December 2012 to check the traffic safety norms, also found that a majority of drivers of school buses, cabs, tempos, cars etc., in the city did not have valid driving licences.

About half of the respondents were in the age bracket of 25-29 years, followed by 30-39 years (25 per cent), 40-49 years (15 per cent), 50-59 years (10 per cent). A total of 2,000 vehicles were checked as part of the drive, the survey says.

In another disturbing trend reflecting negligence by the authorities concerned, the survey found 55 per cent drivers were below the age of 18 years, raising questions about the safety of people in the region.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry suggested that Delhi-NCR traffic authorities should centralise the database of vehicle registration and “smart card based” driving licences must be issued to trace the ownership of a vehicle involved in an act of crime.

The survey comes at a time when questions are being raised on the private bus involved in the recent gang-rape incident in Delhi, which was plying without a permit.

Releasing the survey, D.S Rawat, Secretary General of the chamber, said drunk driving, drinking and loitering, driving with tinted glass and other unlawful activities should be dealt firmly and all public transport should install GPS devices.

He said that enforcement alone was not the solution, adding that there was need for proper awareness to change the road culture.

aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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