As per the new code, all buses should be painted white, each with a metallic gold and purple stripe
As per the new code, all buses should be painted white, each with a metallic gold and purple stripe
The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to extend the deadline for tourist buses to comply with the new color code set by the state government. As per the new code, all buses should be painted white, each with a metallic gold and purple stripe on its body.
Dismissing the petition filed by the tourist bus owners, a division bench of the High Court comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar pointed out that the color code was prescribed earlier and the order would be strictly enforced. The bench said that the court had earlier refused to entertain the petitions challenging the directions in respect of the Code.
The High Court also issued several directions regarding the implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act in the wake of the Vadakkanchery accident, in which a tourist bus carrying school children rammed into a KSRTC bus, killing nine and More than 50 others were injured.
The court also directed the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) not to show advertisements in its buses. The court said that no distinction can be made between corporation vehicles and private vehicles in this regard.
In the direction issued by the court, video recording of fitness test of vehicles is mandatory. Photos of the passenger and driver’s cabin shall be kept in the official files of the vehicle. The vehicle owner and workshop will be held liable for any changes introduced in the vehicle after completing the final test.
The court said earlier dancing inside tourist buses was prohibited. The number of passengers in such vehicles shall be equal to the number of seats available in them. All passengers will be seated inside the vehicle during the journey. The bench said that the teachers accompanying the students during the Anand Yatras will implement these directions.
The court also said that action should be initiated against vloggers uploading videos of modified vehicles illegally.
The bench will consider the matter on October 20.