Calcutta HC allows 15-year-old buses if fit; Mandatory fitness test twice a year for all commercial vehicles

The Calcutta High Court has ruled that commercial buses older than 15 years can continue operating in Kolkata if they pass fitness tests twice a year. The order came from Justice Rai Chattopadhyay in response to a petition by the state government, supporting the demand of bus owners’ associations to continue using older vehicles if certified fit for road use.

The decision follows a policy-level agreement between the state transport department and six major bus owners’ associations. As per the new rule, each commercial bus must obtain a Certificate of Fitness twice a year. One certificate will be valid for six months. The cost for each fitness certificate has been fixed at ₹12,500, and an additional ₹100 will be charged for pollution testing.

The associations have agreed to the updated compliance system, which requires each vehicle to pass physical and emission checks to remain in operation. The state government confirmed that the new process applies to both existing and future commercial vehicles that exceed the 15-year threshold, ensuring that only technically sound and less polluting buses run on city roads.

Separately, the state transport department has introduced a digital tracking initiative to monitor bus operations. The YatriSathi app is being tested on 10 routes in Kolkata. The app brings both government and private buses—including minibuses—under a real-time surveillance system aimed at improving operational safety.