Berhampur, Jul 28: A private passenger bus operating in Odisha's Ganjam district has been slapped with a hefty fine of ₹8,40,163 after transport authorities discovered multiple serious violations, including unpaid road tax for nearly three years, lack of fitness certification, insurance, pollution certificate, and a valid driving licence.

According to officials, the private bus, 'Jayashree' (Registration No. OD-19-R-4597), was intercepted by traffic police near the National Highway at Chhatrapur while travelling from Berhampur to Chhatrapur. During the inspection, authorities found that the vehicle had not paid road tax since 2023.

Further verification revealed that the bus was operating without a valid fitness certificate, Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, insurance coverage, and the driver was allegedly driving without a valid driving licence, raising serious concerns over passenger safety.

The Ganjam Regional Transport Office (RTO) issued the challan in the name of the vehicle owner, Santosh Kumar Sahu. The penalty includes ₹8,05,163 towards unpaid road tax, ₹10,000 for not having a valid pollution certificate, ₹5,000 for the driver not possessing a valid driving licence, and ₹5,000 for violations related to vehicle registration and fitness, taking the total penalty to ₹8,40,163.

Following the violations, the bus has been seized and shifted to the Driving Testing Centre at Agasti Nuagaon. Traffic Inspector Biswa Ranjan Sahu said the vehicle will be released only after the owner clears the entire penalty amount and complies with all statutory requirements.

The action highlights the Transport Department's ongoing drive against commercial vehicles operating without mandatory documents and serves as a warning to operators flouting road safety and transport regulations.