PIL dismissed in roadways, private bus route case

Allahabad, Jan 18: Allahabad High Court today dismissed a PIL challenging the proposal inviting objections under the Motor Vehicle Act for modifying certain existing schemes to allow private operators to ply their stage carriages on notified routes.

A division bench consisting of Chief Justice H L Gokhale and Justice V C Mishra dismissed the PIL filed by Asha Saxena, manager of Bal Uthhan Kendra, Meerapur Allahabad.

The petitioner had challenged the December 12, 2007 notification of the UP government, whereby it had modified the approved schemes notified in government notification issued from time to time to the extent that private operators shall be allowed to ply their stage carriages on the notified routes or part there of.

The petitioner's counsel had argued that the notification of the state government had argued that the notification of the state government was arbitrary and illegal and also same was contrary to the decision of the apex court.

By the impugned notification, 475 and notified routes have been allowed to ply by the private operators.

Appearing on behalf of the state government, additional advocate General Zafar Naiyer assisted by M C Chaturvedi raised preliminary objection about the mentality of the writ petition that an individual member of an educational society cannot file a writ petition.

It was also pointed out that notification shall cater to the requirements of public at large.

UNI