17 bus drivers, including KSRTC and school bus operators, caught for drunk driving in Kollam

Kollam (Kerala): A total of 17 bus drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol within the Kollam city police limits. The arrests were made during a surprise inspection under ‘Operation Rider’, which targeted private buses, KSRTC buses and school buses.

One KSRTC bus driver and six others operating school and college buses transporting students were among those apprehended. The KSRTC driver was found intoxicated during an inspection by the East Police, while operating a bus from Karunagappally to Thiruvananthapuram. The bus was intercepted near the Taluk Office area.

Three of the intercepted vehicles were school buses transporting students to various schools in the city, while two were college buses. A vehicle transporting workers to the railway station on a contract basis was also seized.

The inspection, which took place on Monday between 6.30 am and 8.30 am, covered 260 buses. The focus areas included Chinnakkada, Taluk Junction, Ayathil and Kallumthazham in Kollam.

Cases have been registered against those found driving under the influence. In addition to that, two drivers were fined for not wearing uniforms and one conductor was penalised for operating without a valid conductor’s licence.

The inspections were led by Kollam ACP S Shareef with West CI R Fayaz, East SI Vipin, Kilikollur SI Sreejith, Eravipuram SI Jayesh and Junior SI Sabitha.

There were also complaints that some buses suspended service mid-route after drivers alerted each other via WhatsApp groups about the ongoing inspection. Police have stated that the checks will continue in the coming days.