Delhi gangrape shocker makes govt act on buses with tinted glasses

Dilip Kumar Adak, DC (Traffic), conceded that the rule regarding tinted glasses on vehicles had been somewhat ignored. "There are several rules that have slightly neglected but we are looking into the strict implementation of those. The side glasses should be at least 40 per cent visible and front glass should be at least 70 per cent visible, as per the law. Kolkata Police has already ordered for special instruments to measure the transparency level of these vehicles," he said. The special drives are already on to book the errant vehicles.

Talking about buses covered with adverts that make the sides opaque, he said, "Those work according to the government guidelines and we need instructions from the government to book them."

Transport minster Madan Mitra too conceded that the laws were given a pass. "Because of the festive season recently these vehicles were not booked as stringently as they should have been. But now we are back with the routine checks on the road and no such vehicles would be spared. Besides the tinted glass, I am also strictly against powerful metal lights which are sport for one and can be the cause of death for the other," he said.

Asked about the buses with adverts, he said he would call a meeting soon and take necessary steps to rectify it. "Action will be taken as per the rule and if the rule says you cannot make the side glasses opaque, it should be followed by all vehicles," he said.

Several buses plying especially on EM Bypass, a zone which is infamous for violence on women in vehicles have their sides covered, some even with government advertisements. Transport secretary BP Gopalika said they had been looking into it and it was not because of what happened in Delhi. "We have these rules in place much before the Delhi incident. It is not that we have woken up now. We will soon take steps to see that they stop from doing so," he said.

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