<p>When the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) launched a surprise check on Monday, little did it know one of its own vehicles would fail the emission test.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The drive, conducted jointly with the transport department, was aimed mainly at government vehicles. It began at 8.30 am. Officials randomly stopped a KSPCB vehicle. The vehicle, ferrying an official, failed the emission test.<br /><br />Several government officials and drivers were taken aback when they were flagged down. A few co-operated, while others dropped the names of senior officials, judges and politicians.<br /><br />Some drivers sped away so quickly their number plates could not be photographed.During the four-hour campaign, 856 vehicles were checked and 187 booked. Of them, 37 were official vehicles, belonging to prosecutors, judges and bureaucrats.<br /><br />The drive is part of the pollution awareness campaign being conducted by the two departments, said Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bengaluru Urban.<br />“In the last 18 days, we have checked 10,000 vehicles and booked 1,100,” he said.<br /><br />In the last five days, the teams have checked 1,500 vehicles, 30% of which belong to the government.<br /><br />“People normally assume government vehicles are not checked. But through this drive, we want to show people no one is above the law,” he said.<br /><br />A KSPCB official said about 30% of polluting diesel vehicles belong to government departments. Where papers are not in order, drivers are let off with a warning and notice.<br /><br />Minister connection<br /><br />One of the cars belonged to the personal secretary of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. Officials asked the driver to bring the vehicle’s emission test certificate and other documents within seven days.<br /><br />The checks will continue on Tuesday at Cubbon Park, Kalasipalyam, Electronics City, Central Silk Board, Jayanagar and Koramangala. The departments are imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 on vehicles not complying with emission standards.</p>
<p>When the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) launched a surprise check on Monday, little did it know one of its own vehicles would fail the emission test.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The drive, conducted jointly with the transport department, was aimed mainly at government vehicles. It began at 8.30 am. Officials randomly stopped a KSPCB vehicle. The vehicle, ferrying an official, failed the emission test.<br /><br />Several government officials and drivers were taken aback when they were flagged down. A few co-operated, while others dropped the names of senior officials, judges and politicians.<br /><br />Some drivers sped away so quickly their number plates could not be photographed.During the four-hour campaign, 856 vehicles were checked and 187 booked. Of them, 37 were official vehicles, belonging to prosecutors, judges and bureaucrats.<br /><br />The drive is part of the pollution awareness campaign being conducted by the two departments, said Gnanendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Bengaluru Urban.<br />“In the last 18 days, we have checked 10,000 vehicles and booked 1,100,” he said.<br /><br />In the last five days, the teams have checked 1,500 vehicles, 30% of which belong to the government.<br /><br />“People normally assume government vehicles are not checked. But through this drive, we want to show people no one is above the law,” he said.<br /><br />A KSPCB official said about 30% of polluting diesel vehicles belong to government departments. Where papers are not in order, drivers are let off with a warning and notice.<br /><br />Minister connection<br /><br />One of the cars belonged to the personal secretary of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. Officials asked the driver to bring the vehicle’s emission test certificate and other documents within seven days.<br /><br />The checks will continue on Tuesday at Cubbon Park, Kalasipalyam, Electronics City, Central Silk Board, Jayanagar and Koramangala. The departments are imposing a spot fine of Rs 1,000 on vehicles not complying with emission standards.</p>
