Government to roll out all-India permit for tourist coaches

India – Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has issued a new regulation proposing an annual fee to permit a licence tourist coach operator to travel throughout the whole of India, in the same way as trucks are now permitted to do. Under this scheme, coach operators would pay an annual authorization fee to travel across state lines seamlessly. The regulation is to come into force after publishing in gazette under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The majority of operators are approving of this new regulation as it will mean a cost reduction of more than 80% cost compared with the current method of authorization and certification, which requires payment of separate permit charges for operating in each state.

Different rates have been proposed for three categories of coaches. The maximum proposed annual fee is for up to USD4053.00 for air-conditioned (AC) and up to USD2701.00 for non-AC buses carrying more than 23 passengers. The proposal also provides for operators to obtain simple authorization to carry passengers and they can still have the option for getting permits for specific states by paying separate charges.