HC quashes nationalisation of 31 bus routes

Kochi, Jul 24 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today quashed two provisions in a notification issued by the state government in May this year, nationalising 31 important bus routes in the state.

The 31 routes included Kottayam-Kumily, Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram-Thekkady.

Allowing a batch of petitions against the notification, including one filed by the private bus operators association, Justice Antony Dominic held that the two impugned provisions violated the principles of natural justice.

The government circular, issued on May 6, 2008, said regular and temporary permits issued to private buses prior to May 9, 2006, alone would be allowed to continue. Such permits would be renewed only if the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was not intending to provide substitute buses of its own.

The second provision in question said the KSRTC would be free to replace any existing private permits on the above routes on their expiry on the ''basis of last come first go''.

UNI XR ARC VV LPB AS1838