Scrapping of MTC buses etc – State transport undertakings in a dilemma - Whats happening?
Posted on: 22/May/2023 9:20:58 AM
The Central government has issued a notification regarding the scrapping of the blues that are more than 15 year old from 1st of april. Now, the state Transport Undertakings like MTCs etc are in a dilemma regarding this.
It is now brought to light that as many as 1300 buses would be scrapped as these buses are more than 15 years old. The State government has even appealed for the extension by 3 years but the Central govt has not responded. From 1st April, the vehicle scrapping policy came into effect.
There is no hint from the heads of the transport corporations about the operation of old buses. According to some sources, the government has got power under the TN Motor Vehicle Rules to exempt the class of motor vehicles from any rules with respect to the interest of the public. Truth is that this provision would help the transport corporations to operate the buses.
As the scrapping policy applies for the govt owned vehicles, the transport corporations have been taking exceptions to the order fro the Central govt. It must be noted that the Kerala govt has given permission to operate the buses that are more than15 years old till September 2024.On 1st of april, the Centre has cancelled the registration certificates of the dept vehicles that are more than 15 years old. This was also mentioned by some sources of the transport dept.
The sources have concluded that the operation of the buses that are more than 15 years old have been stopped now. Without possessing a valid registration certificate, no vehicles could be operated. It was later pointed out by a MD of a transport corporation that the operation of vehicles did not get affected by the scrapping policy. He added that the operation of the buses as per the schedule would not be an issue even if the 15 year old plus buses get scrapped.
