CHENNAI: Cracking the whip on omnibuses from other States operating clandestinely in Tamil Nadu and ferrying passengers just like the Transport Corporation buses, the transport department has stopped issuing tourist permits to them.An order to this effect was issued last week, after it was unearthed that the omnibuses from outside were misusing the tourist permit obtained in Tamil Nadu by running their fleet on the lines of government buses, top sources in the transport department told Express.“The Puducherry registered KPN Travels luxury air-conditioned fleet that went up in flames near Vellore a fortnight ago, killing 21 passengers, was also plying on a tourist permit,” the sources revealed.Omnibuses obtaining tourist permit can pick up people from any place and drop them at the same originating point in the return journey. However, several operators manipulate this provision by providing regular services between two destinations, besides setting up offices for the convenience of the commuters.“Registration of sleeper coaches is not permitted in Tamil Nadu. So, the omnibus operators register their luxury vehicles in the neighbouring States and operate akin the State owned Transport Corporation vehicles. This is a violation,” official sources said, disclosing the modus operandi of the operators. At least 300 of the 700 omnibuses plying in Tamil Nadu are registered in other States, including Karnataka and the Union Territory of Puducherry.Meanwhile, the transport department has issued orders specifying the norms that the omnibuses are expected to adhere with. As per the norms, hammers must be fixed on board for breaking the window glasses in the event of an emergency. Moreover, providing double doors has also been stressed.Express had carried a report in these columns on June 12 about the poor adherence of luxury coaches to the bus body design norms, framed by the technical body of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
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