The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has clarified which buses can operate on newly opened six-lane national highway stretches, following complaints about ordinary route buses using the main carriageway and dropping passengers there.

The department said stage carriage buses, or regular route buses, must operate through service roads on such stretches. This applies to ordinary and limited-stop route buses operated by both the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private operators.

The clarification comes after several complaints were received about route buses using the six-lane highway and allowing passengers to get off on the main carriageway.

Why has the MVD issued the clarification?

Several stretches of Kerala's six-lane national highways have been completed and opened to traffic. However, the MVD said it has received complaints that stage carriage buses are operating on these main highway sections instead of using the service roads.

Passengers, including women, children and elderly people, have reportedly been dropped on the highway. In some cases, they have had to walk for kilometres to reach an exit or nearby location, the department said.

The issue also gained attention on social media after a private bus was reportedly seen dropping a woman on a flyover on the six-lane highway. The MVD had taken action against the bus.

Against this backdrop, the department has now issued a broader clarification through a social media post.

No bus stops or parking on the six-lane carriageway

The MVD's key clarification is that vehicles are not permitted to stop anywhere on the six-lane main carriageway, and no bus stops have been authorised there.

Therefore, regular stage carriage buses cannot use the main six-lane carriageway for their services where service roads are available.

The department said such buses must use the service roads, where passengers can board and get off safely at designated locations.

This is particularly important for ordinary route services, which make frequent stops to pick up and drop passengers along their routes.

Which buses are affected?

The restriction covers ordinary and limited-stop route buses operated by both KSRTC and private bus operators.

In practical terms, these regular stage carriage services are required to stay on the service roads on the relevant completed six-lane highway stretches.

The MVD has warned that buses that ignore the direction and continue operating on the main six-lane carriageway will face legal action.

Are all KSRTC buses banned from the highway?

No. This is an important distinction in the MVD's clarification.

According to Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam, the restriction does not apply to KSRTC's long-distance services such as Minnal, Express, Superfast, Deluxe and other long-distance super-class services.

These services can use the six-lane highway.

The restriction is specifically aimed at regular stage carriage services, including ordinary and limited-stop route buses, rather than every bus operated by KSRTC.

What action can be taken against route buses?

The MVD has warned of strong enforcement against ordinary stage carriage buses that use the six-lane main carriageway instead of the service road.

The Transport Commissioner said that if ordinary route buses operate on the six-lane highway in violation of the direction, action could include cancellation of the vehicle's permit and suspension of the driver's and conductor's licences.

The department said the action follows complaints about passengers being dropped on the highway and the difficulties this creates, particularly for vulnerable passengers.

What has actually changed for passengers?

For passengers using ordinary or limited-stop route buses on these completed six-lane highway stretches, the main change is where buses will operate and where passengers can be dropped.

Regular route buses are expected to use the service road rather than the main highway carriageway. Passengers should therefore not be dropped directly on the six-lane highway, where there are no authorised bus stops.

Long-distance KSRTC services covered by the exemption can continue using the six-lane main carriageway.

The MVD's clarification, therefore, is not a blanket ban on buses using Kerala's six-lane national highways. It distinguishes between regular stage carriage services and exempted long-distance KSRTC services.