Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 29 The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, has directed the State Transport Authority (STA) to review the uniform colour code prescribed for tourist buses in the state.
The decision follows complaints from the tourism and tourist transport sectors that Kerala’s colour restrictions are not in line with the rules followed in other states.
The Transport Department has now asked the STA to examine the issue and take a fresh decision.
Kerala had introduced a uniform colour code for contract carriage vehicles, including tourist buses, in 2021.
The decision was taken by the STA under the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules.
The colour code was introduced after a direction from the Kerala High Court on road safety.
The court had also directed that large photographs and writings of film stars should not be displayed on the body or safety glass of buses.
The Central government’s All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023 do not prescribe any specific colour for tourist vehicles.
This has led to complaints from tourist bus operators in Kerala.
They pointed out that tourist buses operating with All India Tourist Permits from other states do not face the same colour restriction.
According to the government order, some operators have also registered their buses in other states because of the restrictions in Kerala.
The government said this could affect the state’s revenue from motor vehicle tax and permit fees.
Transport Secretary T.V. Anupama has issued a gazette notification in this regard.
The government has invoked Section 67(1)(d) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, while directing the STA to review the earlier decision.
The STA has been asked to examine the issue in light of the Central rules and the directions issued by the High Court.
The review does not mean that the road safety directions of the High Court will be withdrawn.
The restriction on large film star photographs and writings on the bus body and safety glass will continue.
The STA will examine the existing colour code and decide whether it should be retained, modified or changed.
The final decision will be taken by the State Transport Authority.
