Thiruvananthapuram, The Keralam government has ordered a review of the uniform colour code imposed on tourist buses in the state, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Wednesday.
In a post on ‘X’, Satheesan said the State Transport Authority would take the final decision on the matter.
“The government has decided to reconsider the uniform colour code for tourist buses. Transport Department Secretary T V Anupama has issued a gazette notification in this regard, taking into account the 2023 All India Tourist Vehicles Rules of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the requirements of the tourism sector. The uniform colour code for non-LMV contract carriage vehicles was introduced by the STA on August 11, 2021, under Rule 264 of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, in the backdrop of a Kerala High Court directive against displaying large photographs of film actors and writings on buses in the interest of road safety, the department said in a statement. Against this backdrop, the government, exercising its powers under Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, directed the STA to review its 2021 decision and issue further necessary orders, it said.
The STA will take the final decision in this regard,” the CM said. However, the All India Tourist Permit Rules issued by the Centre do not prescribe a specific colour for tourist vehicles, it said. The restrictions also prompted some owners to register their vehicles in other states, potentially affecting government revenue from motor vehicle tax and permit fees, the statement said.
