The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department is set to submit a proposal to the state government outlining revised guidelines for vehicle modifications, categorizing them into 18 permissible changes without prior approval and six modifications that require official permission and registration certificate (RC) updates. Alongside this development, the government has decided to restrict its highly anticipated election promise of free KSRTC bus travel for women exclusively to ordinary services.

Under the new vehicle modification guidelines, vehicle owners can make minor changes such as installing seat covers, floor mats, steering covers, chrome garnishes, door visors, mud flaps, body stickers, interior ambient lighting, dashcams, reverse cameras, parking sensors, GPS trackers, and Android infotainment systems without prior permission. Additionally, up to 50% transparent sun film is allowed. However, major changes like altering the vehicle’s color or converting the engine to electric or CNG will require prior RTO approval, fee payment, and updates to the RC book. Critics note that about 95% of these modifications were already legally permissible under existing rules.

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Meanwhile, the UDF government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is facing criticism for scaling back its key election promise of free KSRTC travel for women. An expert committee concluded that extending free travel to higher-grade services like Fast Passenger, Super Fast, Super Deluxe, AC Volvo, and budget tourism buses is impractical and would lead to severe operational crises. The scheme is now scheduled to be implemented from June 15, limited strictly to ordinary buses, with a final cabinet decision expected soon.