India, Feb. 28 -- Worried about growing illegal transport across the state, Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday directed the motor transport department (RTO) to launch a statewide enforcement drive beginning March 1. The move comes amid rising concerns over unauthorised vehicles operating without valid permits, fitness certificates, insurance coverage or statutory approvals, posing a serious threat to public safety while simultaneously causing substantial losses to the state exchequer and legal transport services.

At a high-level meeting held on Friday by Sarnaik and attended by transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar and senior officials, Sarnaik emphasised that unchecked growth of illegal passenger transport has turn...