Anantapur: RTA officials seized at least 17 private buses plying between Bengaluru and Hyderabad for violating permit rules on NH 44 in Anantapur district on Monday.
The buses belong to private travel agencies based at Bengaluru and Anantapur who operate services using tourist permits between Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
At least 35 buses have been seized in Anantapur district alone for violating the Motor Vehicle Act in the special drive after the Mahbubnagar mishap.
Three special teams with motor vehicle inspectors Padmanabha Reddy, Rambrahmam and Viswanatha Reddy conducted a special drive in three different parts of Anantapur and its outskirts. Anantapur is on the way between Hyderabad and Bengaluru and all travel agencies have booking centres here.
Anantapur deputy transport commissioner Prathap told this reporter that 17 buses were found violating permit rules.
Most of the buses are not maintaining passenger lists even though the transport department had strictly instructed them to keep details of passengers.
Though, the vehicles were allowed to run on tourist permits to carry tourists on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route and vice-versa, travel agencies are reportedly operating as stage carriers with pick up points at various places like Anantapur, Hindupur and other parts of the district, deputy transport commissioner Prathap said.
Referring to the steps taken to curb illegal operations, the official said, “We are thoroughly checking buses at various points and check posts and initiating action.”
The authorities have made alternative arrangements for passengers at the RTC bus stand here.
