PATHANAMTHITTA: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) stopped again the private bus Robin operating service from Pathanamthitta to Coimbatore. The vehicle was stopped at Mylapra while returning from Coimbatore. The MVD arrived at the spot with police escort and then made them pay a fine of Rs 7500. The Supreme Court had directed that the bus should not be inspected in the name of permit. The MVD inspected the bus bypassing this directive.

The incident was reported on the official Facebook page of the bus called 'Robin Motors'. The owner wrote on Facebook page that the officials are stubborn that they will not allow Robin to operate service even if a thousand buses run and our decision is that the bus will run no matter how many buses run.

'Sleep is not an issue for the officials. A class of officials destined to work like hounds when the master orders them. A battalion of vehicles and MVD personnel nearby bypassed court orders and checked the vehicle at Pathanamthitta at midnight. Even if a thousand buses run, the officials don’t want Robin to operate service. Our decision is that no matter how many buses run, Robin will operate service. Will go to any extent for that. Sir, you need the cover of night to inspect the bus after being on the road all day,' Robin Motors wrote on Facebook.

The Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Department had taken the bus into custody on Monday. After paying a fine of Rs 10,000, the bus was released on Tuesday and the vehicle came to Pathanamthitta carrying passengers. Though the bus left from Coimbatore at 4.45 pm, it reached Pathanamthitta on Wednesday at 3 am. Driver Nidhish said the delay was due to the reception accorded on the way.

Robin operates on Pathanamthitta Coimbatore route stopping at stops with All India Permit. However, the MVD action said that Robin is a contract carriage bus and as per the All India Tourist Permit rules, such buses are not allowed to carry destination board and carry passengers in between. The service was after keeping the board Pathanamthitta Coimbatore. However, bus owner Girish said that the service is being conducted in accordance with the rules of the new All India Tourist Service of the Central Government.

Action was taken against Robin bus earlier also. The flaws were rectified and resumed service with the protection of the high court. The court order is that the bus should not be taken into custody and can impose fine for violation of the law. Meanwhile, KSRTC operated AC low floor bus on Pathanamthitta Coimbatore route as parallel to Robin Bus. The service is at 4.30 am. The time of Robin bus is 5 am. This is the first time KSRTC is operating in this route.