Unauthorised use of multi-coloured flickering and red lights on vehicles in Odisha: Transport dept issues stern warning

The Odisha Transport Department has raised serious concerns over the increasing and unauthorized use of red and multi-colored flickering lights on government vehicles, especially those operated by subordinate offices. This trend, driven by personal preferences and official misuse, has drawn the ire of the department for violating established protocols and safety regulations.

According to reliable sources, several government officials have been installing these flashy lights on their vehicles without seeking necessary permissions. These lights, commonly seen on high-ranking vehicles for identification or emergency purposes, are now being used indiscriminately—even by departments and officials who are not entitled to them.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to various government departments, Transport Secretary Usha Padhee has expressed her disapproval and called for immediate corrective measures. 

The letter clearly states that no subordinate office or administrative unit is authorized to install flashing lights or multi-colored flickering lights on official vehicles without prior approval from the competent authority, specifically the State Transport Authority (STA).

The letter further reveals that no such permissions have been granted recently, yet numerous government vehicles are still being seen on the roads with unauthorized lighting systems. These include rotating "red" lights and multi coloured flickering lights, which pose safety hazards and contribute to confusion in traffic management.

Officials have been warned that the use of such lights without express approval is a violation of administrative norms and could result in disciplinary action. The Transport Department has urged all government offices to comply with the norms and has asked that instructions be issued to prevent the use of blue lights or any form of decorative lighting on departmental vehicles.

The State Transport Authority has also been directed to intensify enforcement and conduct random checks to identify such violations. Officials and departments have been told to obtain prior written permission if such lights are genuinely required for their line of duty.

What Commerce And Transport Department Said.

Under the provision under section 108(4) of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 relating to use of multicoloured flickering light (restriction on use of single colour Amber / Red Light) has been communicated to all Departments.

Very often news articles are being published regarding use of single coloured Red/Amber light and multi-coloured flickering lights by field functionaries who are not authorised to use them, and also by officials who may use them with approval of the Transport Department, without following the procedure of taking approval.

As of now, the Transport Commissioner's office (Authorized Officer) to issue permission and sticker thereof has not received any request from any Department for grant of permission.

“In view of above fact, suitable instructions may kindly be issued to the subordinate offices under your administrative control, not to use amber/red/blue light on their vehicles. In case the vehicles are used for the purpose as specified in SO No. 1374 (E) dtd. 
01.05.2017 of MoRTR in Government of India, then they should use the multicolour light with due permission in the shape of sticker from Transport Commissioner,”the official letter read.