PANAJI
A pickup van with dual number plates created a buzz on social media on Wednesday prompting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to order an inquiry.
The Transport Department and Panaji Traffic Cell’s physical verification of the vehicle ruled out any suspicion but the owner was issued a challan for “improper number plate.”
A photograph of the van on the new Patto Bridge went viral on WhatsApp groups and social networking sites as its hanging number plate – GA-07-T-0083 - exposed its dual registration. The original painted registration ‘KA-63-(number hidden)’ triggered a discussion about the illegal plying of vehicles.
The CM soon called for an inquiry that revealed the original owner had sold the vehicle to a company in Goa. “The owner of the vehicle was called at TC Panaji Office … He informed us that the new number plate was detached due to (a) minor accident on (the) rear side of the vehicle and the same was affixed today itself. The owner informed that he had transferred the vehicle in the month of May 2022 from the original owner and new registration is done at Goa RTO. The owner undertakes to clear the old painted number plate,” reads the report to the CMO, which was subsequently released to the media.
Upon verification of the documents of the previous and the new registration and physical inspection of the vehicle, the officials issued a challan to the driver under the Motor Vehicle Act for the improper number plate.
