Buldhana RTO returns 37 of 72 seized vehicles, starts auction of 35

The Buldhana sub-regional transport office (RTO) has seized vehicles caught for traffic violations and other reasons during a drive in the district. A total of 72 vehicles were seized and fines of Rs 3 lakh were collected, the department said.

Of the 72 seized vehicles, 37 have been returned to their owners. The remaining 35 are still with the department and the process of auctioning them has begun.

With road accidents rising by the day, the administration has taken several measures through the traffic police and the sub-regional transport office. Both departments run drives on public roads continuously. Fines are imposed on unruly drivers who break rules and on minors driving at high speed. The sub-regional transport office also seizes vehicles that are not roadworthy, in addition to fining them.

The Buldhana office fined rule-breaking drivers and kept their seized vehicles in the administration's custody. Owners who produced the required documents and paid the fine had their vehicles returned as per the rules. Some owners did not pay the fine within the stipulated time or did not complete the necessary procedure. Further action is being taken against such vehicles as per the rules, and the auction of 35 vehicles has begun.

The administration said action against vehicles violating the rules will continue.

Drivers have been urged to follow traffic rules, carry the necessary vehicle documents, and pay tax and other government dues on time.

To get a seized vehicle released, the owner must submit the outstanding fine, tax and the vehicle's documents to the department. A vehicle is released only after it is checked for roadworthiness.

In the auction process, the owner of a seized vehicle is sent a first, second and third notice. If the owner still does not appear after the notices, the auction process proceeds.

Buldhana sub-regional transport officer Pachan Navhade said owners of vehicles detained for non-payment of tax or fines should pay the fines and tax and get their vehicles released. Otherwise, the vehicles will be auctioned.