Taking a step ahead towards implementation of order on Bharat Stage-VI buses, the state transport department has issued guidelines for registration of vehicles, issuance of permits and related services to be followed by the concerned authorities.

The department has issued a notification on the subject which prohibits the issuance of permit by any authority having its originating or terminating point at central business district of Kolkata, including Esplanade, Band Stand, Howrah Station and Rabindra Setu approach road or passing through this area. The guideline also underlines that for routes exclusively within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA), a new permit being issued by the STA or by any RTA or in case of replacement of vehicle, the vehicle to be placed in permit, must be BS -VI emissions norms compliant.

Notably, allowing some oxygen to the operators of passenger transport vehicles, the transport department has extended the date of installation of vehicle location tracking devices (VLTD) till 31 May.

Earlier, the date of installation of VLTD was till 31 March in the passenger transport vehicles. The department had made vehicle location tracking devices and panic buttons mandatory for public service vehicles in West Bengal. Vehicles going for a fitness certificate were supposed to get it installed compulsorily.

However, following growing demand from the operators of private and minibuses along with taxis and online app cab operators, the department has decided to extend the VLTD installation date till 31 May. According to transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty, it will issue notification to the RTOs about the extension and the operators would be able to carry out the renewal and other permit related works in the next two months. “However, the installation of the device has to be in the next two months,” said the minister.

The bus operators in the city, however, are not satisfied with the duration of extension. The operators are demanding extension till 31 December.

Meanwhile, the department has decided to run special bus services for the devotees heading towards Furfura Sharif on the occasion of ‘Isaale-sawab’ to be celebrated at the holy shrine from 6 to 8 March. Buses from Esplanade, Barasat, Arambagh, Dankuni, Haripal, Baruipara, Bargachia and Serampore to Furfura Sharif.