Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, Aug. 03: Members of the NH-4 (ATR) Pick-up Van Welfare Association staged a protest in front of the Office of the Assistant Commissioner (AC), Diglipur, on Monday, voicing strong opposition to the hefty challans imposed by officials of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Mile Tilak, Jirkatang.
According to the Association, the RTO officials have been imposing fines ranging from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000 on loaded goods vehicles after weighing them at the weighbridge installed and operated by a private agency at Mile Tilak, Jirkatang. The Association alleged that the exorbitant penalties have placed an unbearable financial burden on pick-up van operators.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the President of the NH-4 (ATR) Pick-up Van Welfare Association, Shri Nirapada Halder, said that the protest was also aimed at pressing several long-pending demands of the Association. These include exemption of pick-up vans from mandatory weighing at the weighbridge, a ban on ATR bus operators from transporting goods between Sri Vijaya Puram and Diglipur and vice versa, the provision of a suitable parking site for pick-up vans at Sri Vijaya Puram, arrangement of ferry facilities for pick-up vans at Middle Strait, refund of fares collected by the RTO, and relaxation for pick-up van operators who were fined but could not pay the penalties due to financial hardship.
The protesters assembled in front of the AC’s office at around 9:00 a.m. and, according to reports, continued their demonstration throughout the day.
During the protest, a delegation of the Association met the Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur, and submitted their charter of demands. However, the Association alleged that the meeting failed to produce any positive outcome.
Andaman Sheekha Daily when posed questions to local administration and wanted to know more on the matter, the officials said that the administration has reportedly taken initiatives to alleviate the hardship of the transport vehicles. It said that, the transport vehicles would be reportedly able to operate their vehicles on the route and no challan would be reportedly imposed on the authorized transport vehicles till 15th of August. Apart from this, the Additional District Magistrate, Mayabunder issued an Order on 30th July 2026 to facilitate the smooth and orderly movement of vehicles through Middle Strait, Nilambur Jetty with an order of preference which shall reportedly be given to vehicles, and in which authorized transport vehicles carrying 100% fresh perishable items and poultry was placed in second.
However, Shri Halder further stated that the Association has decided to continue the protest until the administration comes forward to address their grievances, fulfill the full charter of their demands, and resolve the issue.
