Thiruvananthapuram: The Central government is all set to open the roads to private bus monopolies scraping permit and other conditions.
The government is to issue order that might allow A/C deluxe buses to ply in any route even without permit.
As well as issuing the draft order using the powers vested in the central motor vehicle act, the centre sent copies of the same to transport officers seeking suggestions and opinions in this regard.
This new decision could adversely affect Transport Corporation including KSRTC. With this, the private bus lobby will get access to ply in any route at their will, snubbing even the consideration of national highway.
Only condition for this is buses should be A/C Deluxe, and they can conduct trips as state carriage, contract carriage without permit, issuing tickets.
The advent of private players will eventually lead to subjugation of public transport by them.
The decision could adversely affect private players in the state as well. Steeped in crisis, KSRTC gets along by plying in national highway and interstate routes. Of 4000 buses, KSTC has only 64 deluxe buses.
With the new order, private bus companies will dominate state and interstate routes without discrimination, where today permissions are given to private players through restrict conditions.