Tourist van drivers appealed to Sivaganga District Collector P. Akash to increase the seating capacity of tourist vans.
More than 50,000 tourist vans are operated in Tamil Nadu. There are over 250 vans in Sivaganga district. The government has permitted only 13 persons — one driver and 12 passengers — in these vans, the petitioners noted.
Transport officials collect fines from van drivers who take additional passengers. However, other States permit seating arrangements in tourist vans in four different categories: 13, 16, 18 and 20 persons, including the driver, they added.
Emphasising that permission should be granted to increase the number of seats in Tamil Nadu as well, members of the All India Vehicle Drivers Federation and the Tamil Nadu Coach Van Federation appealed to the Collector.
Later, they told reporters: “In Tamil Nadu, the rule permitting only 13 persons, including the driver, came into effect back in 1989. Continuing this without changing it according to the times is causing losses for us.”
It also incurs additional expenses for the public. Due to population growth and the development of the tourism industry, vehicle manufacturing companies themselves have increased the seating capacity. Other States have also changed the rules to permit additional seats. Similarly, it should be permitted in Tamil Nadu, they said.
Published – September 29, 2026 08:00 pm IST
