Bribery on Indian Roads

Bribe Amount Close to Rs.22,000 Crore every year

The alarming levels and magnitude of corruption on Indian Roads, by the concerned enforcement agencies is being widely talked about and an open secret. On Indian Roads, the Truckers often pay bribe for lack of proper and valid documents, overloading, violations including rash driving. A study conducted by Centre for Media Studies across a dozen major transport hubs covering over 1,200 truck drivers, is reported to have revealed that in 60% cases, the Police and the Officials from Enforcing Agencies extort money from Truckers by stopping them without giving a reason. It is also revealed that around 90% of the bribe goes to Policemen and Transport department personnel. The study estimated the total bribe amount on Roads to be close to Rs. 22,000 crore every year.

Modus Operandi

According to the findings of the study, which was conducted at transport hubs including Ludhiana, Delhi, Ahmadabad, Indore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Vijayawada, Bangalore and Chennai, illegal tokens, passes and stickers valid for a period of month are issued by these government agencies to allow vehicles to pass without checks. In many cases, the concerned government officials are found to use holograms on bribe receipts to distinguish "original" from "fake" and the code words like "April Fool, May Day and Independence Day" and mobile phones to convey the "links".

Harassment by Police & Transport Depts.

The findings — based on the surveyors interaction with drivers, fleet operators and law enforcing agencies — also exposed how trucks and commercial heavy vehicles were the punching bags for enforcement agencies. Drivers claimed that in 12% cases, authorities challan Truckers even when there is no overloading. They said harassment by police and transport department officials were the two major irritants for drivers on roads. While 77% of them felt Police were the biggest irritant, 73% said it was harassment by Transport Department officials.

Bribe for Non- Compliance & Speed Money

However, Drivers and Truck operators admitted that they paid bribe for failing to meet norms or to get things done quickly. They conceded that the major reasons for paying bribe at transport department offices were getting registration and fitness certificates besides getting and renewing permits. On roads, truckers often pay bribe for lack of proper and valid documents, overloading, violations including rash driving. They also said that by paying bribe, they avoided hassles in physical verification of goods.

Some Facts

* In 60% of cases, officials avoid giving reason for stopping vehicle, but demand cash

* Corruption share: Police (45%), RTO (43%) & Others (12%)

* Irritants on road: Harassment by police (77%) & RTO (73%), Wait at inter-state borders (58%), outside towns/cities for no entry (55%)

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