Jugaad vehicle on Patna road
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Despite strict instructions from Transport Minister Shravan Kumar and a ban imposed by the Patna High Court in line with Supreme Court directives, the illegal operation of so-called jugaad vehicles continues unabated in the state capital and several other districts of Bihar. These makeshift vehicles are being seen freely plying on busy routes such as Ashiana–Digha, Kankarbagh, Rajendra Nagar, Bailey Road, Ashok Rajpath and Patna City.
What has raised serious concern is that neither the Patna District Transport Office (DTO) nor DTOs in other districts have launched any concrete enforcement drive to curb their movement so far.
Strict Orders, Weak Implementation
Following a Patna High Court ruling that described jugaad vehicles as a serious threat to road safety, the Transport Minister had issued clear instructions to all district DTOs to completely ban their operation and conduct special enforcement campaigns.
However, the ground reality suggests otherwise. The department does not even have clear data on how much action has been taken in which district, raising questions over whether the orders have been reduced to mere formalities.
No Identity, No Safety—Yet on the Roads
Jugaad vehicles are crudely assembled and do not conform to any prescribed manufacturing standards. Transport officials point out that under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, authorised testing agencies do not issue prototype approval certificates for such vehicles.
As a result, these vehicles cannot be registered, insured, or granted permits, fitness certificates or pollution clearances. Yet, they continue to transport hundreds of passengers and goods daily on city roads.
No Insurance, No Compensation After Accidents
The most alarming aspect is that in the event of an accident involving a jugaad vehicle, neither the owner nor the victim is entitled to any compensation. With no insurance cover, the entire loss has to be borne by ordinary citizens, exposing every road user to an unseen and unnecessary risk.
Major Cause of Traffic Jams and Disorder
Neither the design nor the speed of these vehicles meets road safety norms. This is why they frequently contribute to traffic congestion, road accidents and overall chaos on city streets. The open violation of rules not only undermines the credibility of the transport department but also sends out a disturbing message that fear of the law has all but vanished from the roads.
When Will the Transport Department Act?
The continued presence of jugaad vehicles on Patna’s roads clearly highlights the wide gap between official orders and actual enforcement. Unless firm action is taken at the DTO level through sustained drives, regular checks and strict penalties, road safety will remain compromised and respect for the law will not be restored.
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