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The Owner Dealers Association (ODA) has appealed to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to defer the immediate implementation of recently increased vehicle-related fees and penalties, warning that the measures are placing undue stress on motorists and disrupting daily productivity.

In a statement issued yesterday, ODA president Reval Chattergoon called for a grace period of between one and three months, saying the abrupt introduction of the higher charges has triggered panic among vehicle owners.

According to the association, licensing offices have been overwhelmed by anxious citizens seeking compliance, while the online appointment system has been inundated with requests. The ODA also pointed to worsening traffic congestion, attributing it to increased roadside checks and multiple toll points aimed at enforcing the new penalties.