KOLKATA: The Mamata Banerjee government has decided to ban the use of mobile phones while driving following the bus tragedy in Murshidabad that claimed 42 lives. Officials of state transport corporations said ignoring the rule would prompt fines and or suspension. It is reported that the decision was taken after passengers of an accident-stricken bus claimed the driver was talking over his phone while driving and lost control over the vehicle.
The rule will be implemented immediately and drivers would be suspended and fined if found using mobile phones when on the road, said South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) chairman Tamonash Ghosh. Similar measures would be taken if drivers and conductors are found drunk while on duty, Ghosh said, adding the SBSTC would soon install CCTVs in all its buses to ensure a strict implementation of the rule. “We currently have CCTVs installed in 120 buses out of a total 600. We will soon complete installing CCTVs in the rest of the buses. This will help us in keeping a tab of the behaviour of the drivers,” Ghosh said.
North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) chairman Mihir Goswami said a directive has been sent to every division regarding the ban of use of mobile phones. “The suspension will be for at least three to four months followed by a probe. If found guilty, strict action will be taken,” he said.
