In an effort to provide necessary relief to the citizens of the state to move from one place to another for their work, Punjab Government

Chandigarh: In an effort to provide necessary relief to the citizens of the state to move from one place to another for their work, the Punjab Government has issued all the private (non-transport) and public service vehicles except the containment zones declared by the competent authority in the morning under strict conditions. It is allowed to run from 5 pm to 9 pm to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Punjab GovernmentThis was stated by Punjab Transport Minister Razia Sultana in a press statement issued here. The Transport Minister said that earlier in the notification issued by the Punjab Government on May 31, 2020, all public service vehicles including e-rickshaws and auto rickshaws, maxi cabs/motor cabs and private vehicles (non-transport) would be banned till June 30, 2020. Walking was prohibited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

She said that now the government has decided to provide some relief to the citizens so that they can come for their daily work. She said that public service vehicles were allowed to run on the condition that no more than 50 per cent of the seating capacity of the buses would be filled during the journey to ensure adequate social distance.

Razia SultanaAll public service vehicles with State Carriage Permits will be allowed to run on their designated routes provided the driver of the public service vehicle ensures that passengers board such a vehicle only at the point of departure and the passenger travels.

Razia Sultana said that buses with State Carriage Permit can run in rural areas only under the above conditions. She said that e-rickshaws, auto rickshaws, maxi-cabs, motor-cabs are allowed only 1 driver and 2 passengers. They must be cleaned properly after each trip.

She said that car-pooling and car-sharing would not be allowed. Razia Sultana said that in the case of two-wheelers, a maximum of one rear passenger (Pillion Rider) who is a minor child or the driver's spouse will be allowed.

Photo According to the maximum capacity of the vehicle, seating of passengers is allowed only if all the passengers belong to the same family (parents, spouse and children only).

Violators of these orders will be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the National Disaster Management Act 2005, IPC and the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. All Department of Transportation guidelines and standard operating procedures will apply.