West Bengal Allows Over-15-Year-Old Buses in Kolkata to Operate with Fitness Certificates

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The West Bengal government has welcomed a draft notification that will allow stage buses over 15 years old to operate with bi-annual fitness certificates in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. The move comes after the Calcutta High Court disposed of a petition filed by a private bus owners' association, stating that their grievances had been addressed in the draft notification. According to the draft notification, buses registered in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area can continue to operate beyond 15 years of age, provided they obtain bi-annual fitness certificates. The move is expected to benefit around 3,000 buses that are still plying in the area, down from 12,000 in 2009. The Joint Council of Bus Syndicate has hailed the decision, stating that it will allow bus owners to complete their certificate of fitness, pollution certificate, and permit renewal without any obstruction. The union had moved the petition in 2024, seeking a two-year grace period for 15-year-old buses that had exceeded their expiry period. The Calcutta High Court had given the West Bengal government liberty to publish the draft notification, which has now been welcomed by the government and the bus syndicate. The move is expected to ease the burden on bus owners and operators in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.