21 November 2023, 02:00 AM IST
Kochi:The High Court did not allow the demand of KSRTC to stop the operation of tourist buses on the nationalized route by taking tourist permit. KSRTC has demanded that tourist buses be stopped from operating on nationalized routes. Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh did not accept the lawyer’s strong plea. The central government has sought time for clarification on the amendment. Subsequently, the petition was adjourned for hearing after two weeks.
The matter came before the court when the motor vehicle department was constantly trying to stop Robin Bus from operating on the Pathanamthitta-Coimbatore route by taking a tourist permit. The single bench rejected the argument of KSRTC. KSRTC said that only KSRTC can operate the service on the nationalized route and following the amendment in the Tourist Permit Act, many private buses are operating on the nationalized route by taking such permits. Advocate Deepu Thangan argued.
The court asked that it is wrong to say that many buses are running the service and it should be clarified which bus is running such a service. The amendment was brought by the central government. How can KSRTC, which is part of the government, question it? After obtaining the tourist permit, the seats can be pre-booked and the passenger list can be prepared and the service can be provided. The law states that this list must be in the possession of the driver. The court also said that the law does not say that passengers should not be picked up in between.
KSRTC said that tourist services are operated by contract carriages and they cannot pick up passengers from between. Argued. It was also argued that only stage carriage buses can carry passengers between buses.
Following this, the petition was changed seeking an explanation from the Center regarding the amendment. Last day, the court had given permission to operate Robin Bus. The court will hear the petition on Tuesday.
Tags: High court tourist buses nationalized routes stopping tourist services nationalized routes
