Thiruvananthapuram: The inspection and monitoring measures implemented by the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department to curb violations in tourist buses have come to a halt. As a result, air horns, decorative lights, and dance floors have made their way back onto the vehicles.

Following the 2022 accident in Palakkad, the responsibility of supervising tourist buses within each office’s jurisdiction had been assigned to designated officials.

Vehicles were to be inspected at regular intervals to ensure compliance, and those transporting students were required to be presented before officials for approval prior to travel. However, over time, inspections gradually declined and have now stopped entirely.

The directive to suspend inspections reportedly came from higher authorities after a change in the Transport Department’s leadership. A section of tourist bus owners had approached Minister for Transport KB Ganesh Kumar, requesting that inspections be waived. Subsequently, a proposal to drop the colour code requirement was placed before the State Transport Authority but was withdrawn following criticism.

In most buses, air horns are powered by the brake air line, a practice that can potentially lead to brake failure. Even when such violations are detected during inspections, officials are reportedly hesitant to revoke vehicle fitness certificates. Bus owners have also been evading the colour code regulation by obtaining all India tourist permits.