THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seat belt has been made mandatory in buses including KSRTC and lorries including tipper. From September 1, all heavy vehicles will require the driver and front seat occupants to wear seat belts. Failure to do so will result in fines based on the footage from the AI ​​cameras. 500 rupees will be imposed as a fine. At the same time, allegations were also raised that this is a method to increase treasury funds. The decision was taken at a review meeting of MVD-Keltron officials chaired by Minister Antony Raju to evaluate the new camera system. The minister said that the action is as per the central law.

Both front passengers in lorries must wear seat belts. If buses have a cabin, both passengers in the front must wear seat belts. If it is a bus without a cabin, only the driver needs to wear it. KSRTC buses have old-style seats. Seat belts will have to be installed in all of them.

Currently, AI cameras detect and fines people for not wearing a helmet (₹500), not wearing a seat belt (₹500), using a mobile phone (₹2000), crossing a red signal (₹1000) and riding with more than two people on a two-wheeler (₹1000). However, the follow-up of violations detected by the cameras is not progressing as announced by the government. Keltron will deploy more staff in MVD's control rooms to detect violations and dispatch challans without delay. This was not agreed upon earlier.

Companion also fined, two challans

• If you travel without wearing a seat belt, you will get two challans. This is when both the driver and the front seat passenger are not wearing seat belts. One thousand should be paid instead of five hundred rupees,
• A single challan will be issued if the driver is wearing a belt and the passenger is not. 500 should be paid in this case. Challans will be repeated if multiple cameras detect the same.
• If you travel without a helmet on two-wheelers also, you will be fined similarly. Challan will come if three people travel on a two-wheeler as well.

No seat belts in 3820 buses

Seat belts will have to be installed in post-2005 KSRTC buses. There are 3820 buses without seat belts. A set of seat belts in heavy vehicles costs Rs 400-600. Electric and diesel buses purchased for Swift have seat belts.

Keltron cannot handle it all

(Camera surveillance from 8 am on June 5)

Violation found: 3,57,730

Checked by Keltron: 80743

Uploaded on the website: 19790

Notice sent: 10457

Government claimed: 25000 (Notices sent daily)

It is estimated that 12 people die in road accidents every day. It has dropped to 28 people for four days. This is an indication of the decrease in accidental deaths.

-Antony Raju,

Transport Minister