Over 97% of truck drivers bribe police: Survey

CORRUPTION ON CITY ROADS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Over 97 percent of the truck drivers who ply their vehicles on the roads and highways in Guwahati and pass through the city pay bribes to the police.

The disturbing development has come to light in a recent survey titled ‘Status of Truck Drivers in India-2020’ by SaveLIFE Foundation.

According to the survey report, 97.5 per cent of the respondents (truck drivers) in Guwahati admitted to paying bribes to traffic or highway police as compared to nearly 67 per cent of the respondents nationwide. While the average bribe given to traffic/highway police nationwide is Rs 849, the average bribe given to cops in Guwahati is Rs 1,608. Interestingly nine out of 10 truck drivers during the survey claimed that they had paid bribes to certain local groups as well.

The drivers said they had to pay at several checkpoints. After paying the bribe at a specific checkpoint, 10.7 per cent drivers said they had to pay bribe at the next checkpoint too. Around 67.8 per cent claimed that they (the police and drivers) kept a “receipt” for each month.

The survey has found that the personnel on duty write a specific code on hands of drivers they pay the money. It said 88 per cent of the respondents (drivers) in the city have not undergone a driving test before procuring a licence as compared to 37.5 per cent of the respondents nationwide.

On other hand, 99 per cent of the truck drivers claimed that that they had not undergone any formal truck driver’s training before taking up the profession as compared to 92 per cent of the respondents nationwide. Over 70 per cent respondents (truck drivers) are not satisfied with their profession.

“The police must take this survey seriously. There are allegations that trucks illegally carrying coals, soil, wood and other items easily pass through the city by bribing the police and other officials,” Siddhartha Goswami, a senior citizen of Zoo Road said.

A City police official has, however, contradicted the survey. “Some police personnel might be involved in such unfair practice. But it cannot be generalized. Many police personnel are seizing trucks everyday for not obeying rules or carrying goods illegally,” the official said.

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