A mechanism would be proposed at the Inter-State Transport Commissioners’ meeting to monitor long-distance buses operating on All-India Tourist Permits.
On Saturday, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said, “Buses registered in other states are using All India Tourist Permits to travel across the country. These are of course legally valid. But we need to develop a system to monitor these buses for passenger safety. This will be discussed in a meeting to be held in about 15 days.”
Mr. Prabhakar added that private bus operators tend to register buses in other states to save on taxes. While they enjoy the benefits of low tax rates, compliance with road safety standards and the safety of bus passengers should not be negotiable.
He pointed out that while it is the Union government that is a stakeholder in making policies related to road transport, the states do not have that much power.
“When we try to get strict enforcement, they (private bus operators) cry harassment or go to court. Now we will have to strictly check all aspects of the documentation and conduct a review,” he said.
Meanwhile, the transport department has embarked on long-distance buses plying on contracted transport routes. Inspectors and other officials have started checking documentation and permits as well as safety measures on the buses.
According to official data, the road transport department in Hyderabad Central, Hyderabad North, Hyderabad East, Hyderabad West and South and Ranga Reddy and Medchal districts have registered 68 cases till Saturday. They have collected a total of ₹1,17,000 as compound fee for alleged violations like absence of fire safety equipment like fire extinguishers on board the buses. Fines we issued for modifications to buses that violated seating permits. A bus with a capacity of 23 seats was found to have changed its capacity to 29.
Similarly, as many as 877 buses have been impounded and 8,848 cases registered across the state since January 1.
Published – 25 Oct 2025 21:12 IST
