Arunachal buses face TD's ire

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided not to accept registrations of buses from Arunachal Pradesh, in support of TD MP Kesineni Srinivas ‘Nani’, who is embroiled in a conflict with private bus operators.

Though there was some confusion in the early stages, the reported involvement of minister Nara Lokesh has tipped the issue in favour of Mr Srinivas. A Cabinet minister said the state government would announce its decision soon. The permits of buses from Arunachal Pradesh that are already in AP will also be cancelled.

Mr Srinivas is involved in a dispute with Orange Travels and other operators. He has alleged that Orange Travels is backed by YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who owns shares in the company. He has also alleged that officials of the transport department have been turning a blind eye to violations of the Central Motor Vehicle Act by private bus operators in exchange for bribes. He says that his company, Kesineni Travels, never took recourse to fraudulent practices.

There are many buses that are registered in Arunachal Pradesh operating in Andra Pradesh. There isn’t a single Kesineni Travels bus registered in Arunachal Pradesh. Unhealthy competition between the operators has led the MP to bring up these issues.

Mr Srinvias had brought to light the fact that buses registered in Arunachal Pradesh weren’t going back to the state.

According to the norms governing registration, buses that start from Arunachal Pradesh are supposed to return to their place of origin after reaching their destination. But many buses violate this rule and illegally operate within Andhra Pradesh.