The Motor Vehicles department (MVD) have booked the operators of 72 inter-State tourist buses for allegedly evading road tax payable in Kerala.

The alleged violations were detected during a surprise inspection conducted in Ernakulam district by nine squads, according to the MVD. Demand notices were issued to recover more than ₹1 crore in tax from the vehicles.

The joint inspection by the enforcement teams and office squads was conducted from around 3 a.m. on Saturday (August 15, 2026), focussing on Kalamassery, Angamaly, and Perumbavoor. “It was ensured that the inspections did not cause any inconvenience to passengers,” the MVD said in a release.

Officials said several vehicles had violated the rule that road tax must be paid in the respective States where they operate, even if they possess an all-India permit.

Traffic violations, including unauthorised transportation of goods, use of air horns, tampering with high-security registration plates, and installation of excessively bright lights were also detected during the inspection.

Officials said such joint inspections would continue to be intensified across the State to prevent tax evasion. The inspection was conducted following an interim order of the Kerala High Court, directing the collection of State tax from inter-State tourist buses without penalty. The inspection was led by Deputy Transport Commissioner (Central Zone II, Ernakulam) Saji Prasad, Muvattupuzha RTO Shafeeq B., and Ernakulam Enforcement RTO Biju Isaac.