STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: As many as 622 cases under MV (Motor Vehicle) Act and NGT (National Green Tribunal) Act against vehicle are under process for violation of speed limit at the stretches of NH-37 in the KNP (Kaziranga National Park) area. While seven vehicle owners have already been slapped with fine, e-challans are being issued to other vehicle owners.
Talking to The Sentinel, KNP Director Shiv Kumar said, "As and when the KNP is under the grip of floods we take some measures to check vehicle speed on NH-37 that passes through the National Park. Such measures are aimed at preventing animals from getting killed by speeding vehicles. This is because during floods in Kaziranga National Park animals cross NH-37 and go towards Karbi hills. However, the sad reality is that during this flood we've registered over 600 speed violation cases. What's even more tragic is that seven deer have been killed by speeding vehicles, so far."
Kumar further said, "In the Jakhalabonda-Bokakhat stretch of NH-37 the speed limit is restricted to 40 km/hour, besides the promulgation on 144 CrPC there. There are hidden cameras fitted on either side of the highway. On the other hand, the stretch of the highway from Amguri (Burapahar)-Haldibari (KNP) has as many as nine animal corridors. This is why this stretch of the highway has special time cards for vehicles passing through it.
"Even as there is slight letup in floods in the KNP now, around 70 per cent of it is still under water. In such a situation, the animals, especially hog deer, are under threat from poachers. Hog deer are often taken away by surging waters to the nearby human habitations where they may not be safe. We're keeping a strict vigil on that also. As many as 18 KNP animals have lost their lives during the floods. We've sent all the traffic violation cases to Nagaon DTO office to deal with."
When contacted by The Sentinel, Nagaon DTO in-charge Ranjit Baruah said, "We've received over 600 vehicle speed violation cases from the KNP. Of them we've already issued e-challans to 60 vehicle owners. We're going to issue e-challans to the owners of all the vehicles registered for speed violation. So long vehicle owners won't pay the fines slapped on them they won't be able to renew any of their vehicle documents. The process will get blocked automatically.
"According to MV Act, a four-wheeler vehicle violating speed limit is slapped with a fine of Rs 2,000 which is Rs 4,000 for a six-wheeler vehicle. According to the NGT Act, any vehicle charged with the killing of any wildlife is slapped with an additional fine of Rs 5,000. So far, seven vehicle owners have been slapped with fines under both MV and NGT Acts."
Two days back, State Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya visited the KNP and took stock of the submerged camps of forest guards and the loss incurred.