Thiruvananthapuram: The Central government has issued a notification allowing private luxury buses to run freely without the permission of the state governments. Authorized tour operators can drive taxis, including buses, anywhere in the country with an All India Tourist Permit issued by the Union Ministry of Surface Transport. No separate permits are required in each state.
Permits can be obtained from all authorized tour operators by applying on the website of the Union Ministry of Surface Transport. A.C. with more than 23 seats. The annual permit fee for a bus is Rs 3 lakh and for non-AC Rs 2 lakh. The amount received by the Center through the issuance of permits will be allocated to the States under the GST model.
75,000 for AC vehicles with 10 to 23 seats and Rs. 50,000 for non-AC. But the new amendment threatens KSRTC that it could be misused by luxury bus operators operating illegally on interstate highways.
