The city police are cracking the whip against tempos and trucks transporting fish for letting waste water on roads. These vehicles use ice to avoid fish from getting stale and let this water on roads making the entire area filled with foul smell and also causing accidents as this water contains oil. On Tuesday, deputy commissioner of police (law and order) K M Shantharaju held a meeting with fish transporters, fish merchants and fish meal factory owners to discuss the issue where the latter were strictly instructed not to discharge waste water on roads and public places. It is a common sight during the peak fishing season that roads in Ullal, Mangaluru and those leading to Udupi are being polluted due to the discharge of waste water from trucks that transport fish and fishmeal. Shantharaju told TOI that the meeting was held to create awareness on law and make them abide by the rules. “We have instructed fish transporters, fish merchants and fish meal factory owners not to discharge waste water from trucks on the roads. We have warned them that legal action will be taken against them if they continue to discharge waste water on roads or near residential areas. They have been asked to convey the message to all owners and drivers of the trucks that transport fish. We also asked them to create awareness through their associations in this regard,” the DCP said. He hinted that the city police will also issue show cause notice to fish meal factory owners if their trucks are found violating this instructions. “We will do whatever permissible under law and they have been advised to refrain from creating public nuisance while transporting fish. We have been booking cases against trucks that discharge waste water on road for the last one month. We will continue the action against violators by imposing spot fine of up to Rs 500,” Shantharaju said. “Transporting fish is not a crime and moreover, it is a favourite food of many. However, they should see that the transportation should not create trouble for the people. Our action is not against fish transporters, but it is aimed only against those who violate rules,” he added. The DCP said the police will consider asking fish transporters to move perishable commodity using refrigerated trucks. During the meeting, Dakshina Kannada Tempo Drivers and Owners Association members agreed to adhere to the rules. “The association has requested every member to look into the matter and make necessary arrangements so that people are not affected,” members of the association said.
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