What is behind Kerala bus owners' newfound love for Nagaland? Explained

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The national permit fee for a new tourist bus (40 seats) with Kerala registration is Rs. 80,000 per quarter (three months). The annual fee is Rs 3,20,000. If the same bus is registered in Nagaland, the one-year All India permit fee is only Rs 30,000. This is the case for semi-sleeper buses. Should there be any more confusion on why most Keralites choose Nagaland to register their vehicles instead of Kerala?

After noticing this, the Centre decided to amend the Permit Act to include the requirement that bus service should start from the state where the vehicle is registered.

As more registrations are being made at a lower fee, the northeastern states are generating substantial revenue from vehicle registrations alone. However, many multi-axle buses are registered and All India Permits are obtained in places like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, where large buses cannot travel. The trend of vehicle owners choosing the northeastern states was controversial. There were also allegations that fitness is renewed for vehicles here without inspection. The amendment to the law will include provisions to prevent such fraud.

Permit Fee in Kerala

(Quarter Fee)

Semi-sleeper - Rs 2,000 per seat (That is Rs 80,000 for a 40-seater)

Sleeper - Rs 3,000

One-tenth of this for seven days

One-third for a month

In Nagaland

(One year)

Semi-sleeper - Rs. 30,000 per bus

Sleeper - Rs. 50,000