Bharathiyar Arts & Science v. The Government Of India,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 29-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and M.P.No. 1 of 2015 Bharathiyar Arts & Science College for Women Rep. by its Secretary, Deviakurichi, Attur Taluk, Salem District ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Government of India, Rep. by its Secretary, Department of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi

2. National Highways Authority of India, rep. by its Chairman, G-5 & 6, Sector-10, Dwaraka, New Delhi - 110 075

3. The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, Project Implementation Unit, VSA Commercial Complex,9-11, Omalur main Road, Salem - 636

4. SU Toll Road Private Ltd Nathakarai, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636 ..Respondent(s)

Writ Petition is filed seeking declaration, declaring that the benefit of Paragraph 6 (c) of the Notification of the 1st Respondent in S.O. 7(E), dated 13.01.2012 is available to all the educational institution buses of the Petitioner such as TN-27/A-7100, TN-27/J-2277, TN-54/X-4099, TN-54/Y-2699, TN-54/Y-2999, TN-54/Y-3399, TN-77/C-5784, etc, as defined in Section 2 (11) of the Motor Vehicles Act and not only for school buses. For Petitioner(s):

Mr. Kandhan Duraisami For Respondent(s):

R1 to R3 - No appearance M/s.R.Maheswari - R4

ORDER

The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking a declaration that Paragraph 6(c) of the Notification issued by the first respondent in S.O. 7(E), dated 13.01.2012, is applicable to the buses operated by the petitioner educational institution.

2. The petitioner contends that, under the said notification, toll fee concession has been extended to buses operated by schools. According to the petitioner, the buses operated by the petitioner college are also entitled to the same concession, but the benefit has been denied.

3. The issue raised in the present writ petition is no longer res integra. An identical issue came up for consideration before a Division Bench of this Court in W.A. Nos.50 to 58 of 2013, by judgment dated 18.01.2024, wherein the

Division Bench, while referring to its earlier decision in Mahendra College of Engineering, Attur Main Road, Minnampalli, Salem and another v. Government of India in W.A. No.560 of 2014 etc. batch, dated 25.04.2014, held that the notification grants a concession exclusively to school buses and that colleges cannot claim the benefit as a matter of right. The Division Bench further held that a school and a college are distinct institutions and, when the language of the notification is clear and unambiguous, the Court cannot enlarge its scope by interpretation.

4. In view of the authoritative pronouncement of the Division Bench, the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted. The issue stands concluded against the petitioner.

5. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs. 29-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order ak

To

1. The Secretary, Department of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi.

2. National Highways Authority of India, rep. by its Chairman, G-5 & 6, Sector-10, Dwaraka, New Delhi - 110 075

3. The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, Project Implementation Unit, VSA Commercial Complex,9-11, Omalur main Road, Salem - 636 004

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

ak 29-06-2026