Bhubaneswar, Oct. 11: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has started a drive at Baramunda terminal to check documents of buses.

Officers found around 20 night passenger buses plying with a special permit that is given to tourist buses.

Regional transport officer, Bhubaneswar zone-I, P.K. Mohanty said a team of 16 officials had been formed to inspect documents used by the bus drivers.

"Night buses, which did not have valid permits, were plying to Rourkela, Angul and Sambalpur. These buses were penalised ," said Mohanty.

The team was also checking the licence of drivers, fitness certificates of the vehicles and other related documents.

"Each passenger bus is given a specific time for arrival and departure from the terminal in its permit. Our team is also checking the timings of the buses to ensure that they don't delay and cause inconvenience to passengers," said another official.

The team is also making surprise checks to catch drunk drivers. "The drivers found to be intoxicated will face stringent actions, including suspension of their licences. We have also asked police to deploy 16 home guards to assist us in the drive. The drive will soon be extended to the Master Canteen Square depot," said the official.

Another drive will start to inspect the fitness of the passenger and school buses. The team will check every safety aspect, including braking system, lighting, tyre condition and gearbox condition, to ensure their fitness.

The fitness certificates are valid for two years from the date of registration and the owner of the vehicle needs to renew the fitness every year from then.

The owner needs to apply with the RTO concerned and the officials renew the certificates after an inspection of the vehicle.

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