If you are passionate about modifying your car or bike to make it ultra-swanky, beware. The motor vehicle inspectors (MVIs) of Kochi are planning to step up drive against altered automobiles.
Though many workshops have mushroomed in Kochi, claiming they alter vehicles, the motor vehicles department (MVD) has not said ‘yes’ to the practice. “Modifying one’s automobile is illegal,” said Abdul Shukoor Koodakkal, joint regional transport officer.
“It is an offence under section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Violators will have to pay a fine above Rs 500.” RTO officials say a vehicle owner can change only its colour, that too, after approval from the MVD.
“People usually change the colour of the vehicle without applying for it. The colour of an automobile is mentioned in the registration certificate. If the owner has to change it, he or she should get a new RC book too,” said an MVD official.
However, altering the vehicle is strictly prohibited. “No alteration is allowed. Fixing a Yamaha engine on a Honda bike is a matter of risk too,” said Mr K.K. Rajeev, motor vehicles inspector. “An automobile is designed in such a way to perform smoothly with its own parts.”
However, youth seem to be little bothered about the ban. “It might be an offence. But we want our bikes to catch eyes. And, we will pay a fine if the MVIs ask us to,” said Akhil, an engineering student.