Airtwf Citu

AIRTWF OB Meeting On 08.06.2026 in Hyderabad .

AIRTWF-Working Committee Meeting-02.02.2026 at Bhuvneshwar Odisha

AIRTWF-WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING-02.02.2026 Held in Bhuvneshwar Odisha

AIRTWF-Working Committee Meeting Flag Hosting by Com. Karumalaiyan

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through a notice dated November 11, 2025, has issued an order to increase CF Testing fees for all types of transport vehicles at an exorbitant rate, that is upto 200% to 500%
The financial condition of the transport industry is already extremely critical. This fee hike acts as a crushing burden on an already distressed sector (like "the straw that broke the camel's back").
The All India Road Transport Workers Federation strongly protests this unilateral and abnormal test fee hike. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the increased fees.

STUs National Convention held on 23.11.2025 at Chennai.
Com Karumalaiyan Preside over the convention.
Com A Sondourajan inaugurated the convention .
Com A Nainar places draft reports, leaders from AITUC and TTSF participate in convention, V.S. Rao spoke on Electric Bus.
Concluding speech given by Jiban Saha.
19 corporations from 9 states joined the National Convention about 75 delegates participated. Some photos

Press Release

Dear Friends,

On 24 October 2025, 19 people died alive by burning in a private travels bus accident in Andhra Pradesh. Our federation pays tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives in the accident. We demand proper compensation for the victims and appropriate punishment for those responsible for the accident.

What is the cause of the accident? Who are the culprits?

The Vemuri Kaberi Travels bus involved in the accident on 24 October was registered in Daman and Diu, had a fitness certificate from Odisha, but operated between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

In the last hours of the night on 24 October 2025, a dreadful accident occurred near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, where 19 passengers were burned alive. Preliminary information indicates that the root cause is the illegal activities of profit-driven private operators and government failure.

Such accidents have happened before.On 15 October 2025, a private bus caught fire near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, resulting in 21 deaths.

Two years ago, a bus fire in Maharashtra caused 25 passengers to be burned alive.
In 2014, 45 people died in a fire on Jabbar Travels’ bus in Telangana.
These are only a few examples. We express deep condolences to all and sympathize with their families.

Root cause of the accident:

In 2021, the Government of India introduced the “National Permit Scheme,” under which any private operator can pay a permit tax of ₹3,00,000 and pay motor vehicle tax according to the state of registration, allowing passenger transportation from any place to any place in the country.

(1) The bus can start its journey from any location and go anywhere.

(2) It is allowed to stop on the way to pick up and drop off passengers like state transport stage carriages.

These two provisions fall under the “National Permit Scheme,” introduced after the 2019 amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act. As a result, many private bus operators register their buses in states with lower taxes but operate freely in more profitable states. This practically puts them beyond the control or supervision of any state.

This accident is the result of government policy decisions that weaken state road transport corporations (RTCs), encourage privatization, and endanger passengers’ lives for the illegal and excessive profits of private bus owners.

Therefore, it is imperative to immediately repeal the adverse provisions of the “National Permit Scheme” and the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019, and strengthen and expand state transport organizations.

Our federation demands the abolition of the National Permit Scheme practice, proper fitness inspections of private buses, and encouragement and strengthening of state transport.

All India Road Transport Workers' Federation 12th National Conference
2nd Days
V. S. Rao, Telangana

All India Road Transport Workers' Federation 12th National Conference

2nd Days
Com. R. Lakshmaiah, General Secretary, All India Road Transport Workers' Federation

All India Road Transport Workers' Federation 12th National Conference
29-31-July-2025