Supreme Court Prohibits Private Buses on UPSRTC-MP Routes, Affirms Interstate Transport Rules

The Supreme Court has clarified that private bus operators cannot run services between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on routes already notified under the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC).

The bench observed that reciprocal transport agreements under Section 88 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, cannot override approved schemes or notified routes framed under Chapter VI of the Act.

The Court directed both state governments to collaboratively find an administrative solution that balances public convenience with legal provisions governing interstate transport permits and route allocations, ensuring that passengers are not adversely affected.

[UP State Road Transport Corporation v Kashmiri Lal Batra & Ors]