MVD Cracks Down on Tourist Buses Evading Road Tax in Kerala

Kochi: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has initiated strict action against tourist buses registered in other states but operating services within Kerala without paying the required road tax. Despite possessing All India Permits, these buses are legally obligated to pay road tax in every state they conduct services. Nine such tourist buses were seized and fined by the MVD, with penalties estimated to be around half a crore rupees. The confiscated vehicles are currently held in the Collectorate compound.

The operation, led by Ernakulam Enforcement RTO Biju Isaac, was conducted on Friday night across various locations in Kochi city, including the Vyttila Junction. In addition to the nine seized buses, penalties were also imposed on 25 other tourist buses found to have committed other violations.

MVD officials stated that buses operating in a state are typically required to pay a road tax ranging from one lakh to two lakh rupees. The department announced that such inspections would be carried out statewide to curb tax evasion.

Further actions were also taken against other vehicles found violating traffic laws, including those involved in overspeeding, using air horns, irregularities in number plates, and discrepancies in vehicle documents.