New Delhi: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on Friday challenging the high court's order to renew permits for long-distance private buses operating in the state. According to KSRTC, granting permits to private buses would result in the corporation incurring further losses, and it may even have to be shut down.

The high court had directed to temporarily renew the permits of private buses which were running services above 140 km. The transport department had earlier decided not to allow private buses to operate beyond 140 km in the state.

As per the KSRTC’s argument, private buses do not have the right to renew permits as per Kerala Motor Vehicle Rules. The corporation also pointed out that on account of public interest, only KSRTC holds the authority to run long distance services in the state.