Kollam: Authorities have begun renewing permits for private buses on long-distance routes without enforcing the earlier distance cap, following court directives.
Permits have been renewed for services operating on key routes such as Kollam-Kumily, Ernakulam-Kumily, Kottayam-Kumily, and Kozhikode-Ernakulam. Indications suggest that nearly 241 private buses that were previously operating on long-distance routes will have their permits renewed soon, subject to conditions.
Earlier, private buses were restricted from operating on routes exceeding 140 kilometres. However, the High Court had struck down this limitation, clearing the way for long-distance operations.
Despite the ruling being delivered months ago, the Motor Vehicles Department has only now moved to renew existing permits and consider issuing new ones for long-distance routes.
The court had ruled that the government's move to cancel permits of private buses operating beyond 140 kilometres under the Motor Vehicles 'scheme' was unlawful. Both the single bench and later the division bench upheld this position.
Following the single bench verdict, the state government had challenged the ruling before a division bench and later approached the Supreme Court.
In the meantime, the High Court had initiated contempt proceedings against Regional Transport Officers in districts such as Malappuram and Idukki for failing to implement the order.