Bus operators who pick and drop passengers anywhere they please will lose their vehicle permits, the city's top traffic cop P.K. Das said on Sunday.

Notices have been sent to 50 bus operators in the first phase with a warning of permit cancellation in a decision to streamline Patna's traffic movement.

"Orders have been issued to all bus operators - if they pick up or drop off passengers at any place other than a bus stand, their permit would be cancelled. I have started off from the Mithapur bus stand," Patna traffic superintendent of police (SP) Das told The Telegraph.

The traffic SP has recently "adopted" the Mithapur bus stand under orders from additional director-general (headquarters) S.K. Singhal to streamline traffic. He also conducted an inspection there last week, taking to task bus operators who turn the area into a chaotic stretch.

Das said on Sunday he wants to set an example and stressed he would take action if the operators continue to violate traffic rules.

This is the first time such an initiative is being taken, sources said, as earlier only driving licences were cancelled in case of such violations.

"Controlling over 3,000 buses is not an easy task and the operators regularly create traffic problems for the entire city. I cannot take policy decisions or make bridges and roads but I can at least bring some changes with my limited resources," said Das. "So the permits will be cancelled if the buses pick up passengers anywhere else than a bus stand. If permits start getting cancelled, it will send a loud and clear message to bus operators to follow traffic rules.

"My larger goal is to control traffic in the city and this practice will become an important tool towards controlling the traffic menace. In the next phase similar notices will be sent to the city bus unions and auto unions that their permits would be cancelled if they pick up passengers anywhere other than the designated stands," he added.

The SP has directed traffic police on duty to click photographs of violators on the roads, which would then be forwarded to the competent authority for cancellation of permit.

Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor heads the regional transport authority that has the power to cancel permits and registration of vehicles.

A proposal on cancellation of the permits has been sent to the regional transport authority (RTA).

"I am sending the proposal to RTA that auto and city buses are not allowed to pick up or drop off passengers in 50m radius of any roundabout and traffic junction. The proposal also includes cancellation of permit in case of traffic rule violation," said SP Das.