India, May 20 -- Noida The Gautam Budh Nagar Transport Department has seized 47 private passenger buses and issued challans totalling nearly Rs.30 lakh to 35 of them for rules' violations, officials said on Monday.

The step followed an Uttar Pradesh transport commissioner directive issued in the light of a Delhi-bound private sleeper bus, running without permit, catching fire on the outskirts of Lucknow on May 15, leaving five people dead.

"Following the directive, we formed a five-member team under the supervision of the assistant regional transport officer (ARTO - Enforcement) and conducted intensive checks on May 15, 16, and 17," said Gautam Budh Nagar ARTO Siyaram Verma.

"We are currently conducting a drive against autos and will c...