In a major initiative to enhance passenger safety and streamline travel operations in the city, the North Zone Police conducted a coordination and sensitization meeting with travel agency owners and managers on Thursday. The session was chaired by Smt. S. Rashmi Perumal, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone), Hyderabad City, under the instructions of the Commissioner of Police.
Over 50 travel operators, along with Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Station House Officers (SHOs), participated in the meeting. The objective was to ensure strict compliance with statutory regulations, transparency in travel operations, and robust verification processes under the Telangana State Public Safety Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The DCP emphasized the need for travel agencies to maintain high safety standards, prevent misuse of travel services for illegal activities, and adhere to all legal requirements. Operators were cautioned that negligence or procedural violations affecting public safety would attract strict action.
Key Instructions Issued to Travel Agencies
✔ Mandatory Passenger Verification
Travel operators must verify all passengers using valid ID proofs and maintain both digital and physical records for police checks.
✔ CCTV Installation
Cameras must be installed in offices and inside buses with adequate backup to ensure continuous monitoring.
✔ Accurate Documentation
Agencies should maintain booking registers, staff details, and vehicle deployment logs for routine inspections.
✔ Reporting Suspicious Activity
Any suspicious passenger, inquiry, or activity must be reported immediately to the nearest police station.
✔ Control of Unauthorized Agents & Fraud Prevention
Operators must curb unauthorized ticketing agents and create awareness about online ticket frauds.
✔ Prior Intimation to Police
Special tours, high-risk travelers, or emergency travel requests should be informed to the local police in advance.
✔ Quick Communication Channels
Agencies must stay in close coordination with police for prompt emergency response.
✔ Employee Background Verification
All staff must undergo proper verification, with updated employee records maintained.
✔ Improved Safety at Boarding Points
Adequate lighting should be provided at all boarding and pickup locations, especially during night operations.
✔ Fire Safety & Vehicle Maintenance
Strict adherence to fire safety norms and regular mechanical checks is mandatory for all vehicles.
The North Zone Police reiterated that the goal of the initiative is to strengthen public safety, enhance accountability and build a seamless cooperation mechanism between travel operators and law enforcement agencies. Any lapse in compliance, officials warned, will lead to strict legal consequences.
