Why bus services from Tamil Nadu to Kerala are stopped
All Omni Bus Owners Association stopped operations after Kerala Transport Department detains over 30 buses and imposes Rs 70 lakh in fines for alleged permit violations
The All Omni Bus Owners Association on Saturday (November 8) announced the suspension of daily services from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring Kerala following the imposition of hefty fines by the Kerala government.
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The decision to halt operations from the night of November 7 affected hundreds of passengers, including the Ayyappa devotees travelling to Sabarimala in the coming weeks. This decision left people from both states stranded midway, struggling to find alternative routes to reach their destination.
Action against permit violations
The halt came into place after the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department launched a large-scale enforcement drive against long-distance private buses entering the state without valid permits.
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Around 30 Omni buses were impounded during checks at border points, including Walayar, Kumily, and Thiruvananthapuram, and fines amounting to over ₹70 lakh were imposed for alleged permit violations.
Stranded Passengers
The crackdown, which began on November 7, resulted in a sudden halt to incoming services from Tamil Nadu, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded midway.
Kerala officials defended the inspections as part of a broader drive to curb illegal interstate operations and ensure compliance with safety and permit norms. However, it caused massive disruption among the pilgrims bound for Sabarimala or workers returning to Kerala ahead of the weekend.
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On Saturday morning, buses that had already crossed into Kerala were delayed for hours at checkpoints, while several scheduled services from Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai were cancelled altogether.
The abrupt disruption caused confusion at major bus terminals and travel hubs in both states, with passengers scrambling to find alternative transport.
(With agency inputs)