Thiruvananthapuram, October 15 (BPNS)
In a major setback for the state-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the Kerala High Court ordered the take down of advertisements exhibited on the body of buses. It was the division bench comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar, who on the other day, came out with such a directive. The division bench further directed the Transport Commissioner and the State Police Chief to take necessary steps to ensure that no KSRTC or KURTC buses exhibiting advertisements on the body ply in the state. According to the court, such advertisements are likely to distract the attention of other drivers.
The same division bench had earlier come out with a similar order in the case of Saji KM v Deputy Transport Commissioner. In that case, it was ordered that earning additional income by KSRTC or KURTC by the display of advertisements on their transport vehicles, under Rule 191 of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, should not be at the cost of public safety.
However, the court, in the ongoing suo motu proceeding initiated by it in the wake of Vadakkanchery bus accident, noted that even after the said order KSRTC buses continue to paste advertisements on the body. It was after this that the court directed the Transport Commissioner and the State Police Chief to ensure compliance.
The court also reiterated that the head of the educational institution will be held liable if any tourist bus, that does not meet the safety standards including control of noise, is used in any public place for carrying students from that educational institution.
Earlier, it was directed by the division bench that graphics, stickers, and other multi-color bus bodies are legally impermissible. “The use of such vehicles in public places poses a threat to the safety of not only the passengers of those vehicles but also other road users,” said the court then.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on October 20.
