Bus assn official prays to Cal HC for 2-yr grace period for 15-yr-old vehicles


PTI, Oct 8, 2024, 11:11 AM IST

A bus association office-bearer has moved the Calcutta High Court praying for a two-year grace period for 15-year-old buses, of a city route, that have crossed their expiry period, citing losses during the COVID pandemic.

Joint Council of Bus Syndicate general secretary Tapan Banerjee, who is also the owner of 15-year-old stage carriages, said that the number of buses on several routes might dip further with the transport department turning a deaf ear to their plight.

“We had previously appealed to the state government to provide us a two-year window for buses and minibuses attaining the age of 15 years due to losses incurred by bus operators during the two-year COVID period from 2020 to 2021. As that request was not granted, we have been forced to approach the high court as a last-ditched effort,” Banerjee told PTI.

Banerjee, as the president of route no 24 from Mukundapur to Howrah, filed the PIL on September 24 and the matter was listed on October 4 for hearing in the coming days.

“Though we have moved the court on behalf of a particular bus union syndicate, we are voicing the concerns of all other private bus operators who are faced with a similar fate,” Banerjee said.

He said that the number of buses along several routes in various districts has dipped from an average of 100 to only 20-30 over the last four years.

Following an order by the Calcutta High Court on August 1, 2009, commercial vehicles attaining the age of 15 years were prohibited from plying in Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA), comprising Kolkata and Howrah cities and parts of neighbouring districts, to curb pollution.

Banerjee said the last time bus fares were increased was in 2018 but prices of petrol and diesel were hiked several times after that.

From around 7,000 buses plying in the KMA area before 2009, the number has come down to 3,000 by 2024, another bus association official said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into Tirupati laddus row

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

SC overrules 1967 verdict holding AMU can’t be minority institution

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, editors of Kannada news portals booked for allegedly spreading fake news

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

India Post M’luru division to offer doorstep service to pensioners for Jeevan Praman certificate

Related Articles More

SC refuses to examine plea to appoint ‘yoga mitra’ instructors in schools

Maha Vikas Aghadi a vehicle sans wheels and brakes: PM Modi

LDF lodges complaint with EC, seeks probe into distribution of food kits in Wayanad

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into Tirupati laddus row

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Leopard spotted near M’luru airport, Forest Dept begins search operation

Mangaluru International Airport achieves record passenger & air traffic movement in October 2024

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC refuses to examine plea to appoint ‘yoga mitra’ instructors in schools

Maha Vikas Aghadi a vehicle sans wheels and brakes: PM Modi

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.