Bus operators plan to approach court

Every day thousands of heavy vehicles are operated between AP and Telangana.— A file photo

With the Telangana government insisting on road tax from April 1 for transport vehicles arriving in the State from Andhra Pradesh, private bus managements are planning to approach the court.

Everyday over 1,200 private buses are operated from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Chennai and other areas. “We have decided to approach the High Court. A decision on operating buses to Hyderabad and vice versa will be taken in a couple of days,” a representative of Private Bus Operators Association said.

Bus operators say they pay nearly Rs.1 lakh as road tax every quarter per bus (40-seater) and with Telangana insisting on additional tax, they will have to pay another Rs.1.5 lakh. A.P. Lorry Owners Association general secretary Y. V. Eswara Rao said if vehicle owners were made to pay tax in both the States, transportation charges would increase drastically.