The Kerala government made the decision to penalise private tourist bus operators strongly for breaking the rules on Monday.
Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju on Monday said his department would take strict action against tourist buses violating rules following the Vadakkenchery private bus accident in Palakkad.
Raju said each extra fitting in the bus will invite a fine of Rs10,000 and district transport officials will be held responsible if a vehicle is found flouting safety norms.
“We will go after law-breakers. If speed governor was tampered with, criminal proceedings will be initiated against the owner and bus workers,” the minister said.
The minister made his remark after a report on the Vadakkenchery private bus tragedy, which occurred on October 6 and resulted in the deaths of nine people, including five schoolchildren, and approximately 38 others injured, was submitted.
According to the report sent to the minister, the accident was caused by overspeeding and negligent driving.
Soon after the disaster, the Kerala High Court filed a suo motu case and criticised the transport department for failing to take action against private bus operators who frequently violate safety regulations. Even though speed governors are required for all private cars in the state, bus drivers frequently remove them and only reinstall them during mandatory tests.
Even though the high court banned them two years ago, many buses continue to use high-beam lights and loud horns.
The transport agency has established a colour code for buses, but this regulation is rarely adhered to.
The minister said a dedicated officer will be assigned to each private bus and he has to conduct a weekly inspection and keep a report.
“This is not for buses alone; cars and motor cycles will also come under these rules,” he said.
The horrifying traffic collision happened when the tourist bus hit the KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) bus from behind. While the KSRTC bus was travelling to Coimbatore, the tourist bus carrying Baselios Vidhyanikethan School children and faculty was travelling from Ernakulam to Ooty.
Five students, one instructor, and three KSRTC bus passengers were among those killed in the Vadakkenchery bus disaster.
There have been 38 patients admitted to the hospital overall.