HC expresses dissatisfaction about tourist buses

The Bombay High Court today expressed its dissatisfaction at the state government's inaction against such tourist buses which either made illegal modifications or have deficiencies.
"We are not satisfied," observed the division bench headed by justice Abhay Oka.
The court further directed the Road Transport Office (RTO) to take action against such buses and file a compliance report by January 16. The matter is likely to be heard next on January 21. Meanwhile the court also directed the Commissiner of Police, Pune, to provide adequate police protection to petitioner Shrikant Karve after he told the court that he fears threat from bus operators.

Karve also produced photographs before the court which showed that many tourist buses plying on roads have deficiencies. He told the court that some buses don't have emergency exit and had carried out modification to fix more seats.
He termed such buses as 'death trap' as it endangers the passengers' safety.
"We direct the Transport Commissioner to issue directions to each Regional Transport Office in the state to ascertain the particulars of the private tourist buses having sleeper berth facility which have been granted registration certificates by the respective offices," the court observed.
It also directed the Transport Commissioner to order a phase-wise check of the buses and take actions those which don't satisfy the rules.