S.Ravi, v. The Principal Secretary,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 02.04.2019

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.MANIKUMAR and THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD W.P.No.9662 of 2019 S.Ravi ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Secretariat, St.George Port, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Managing Director, Salamedu, Vizhupuram, Vizhupuram District - 605 602.

3. The General Manager, Sathuvachari, Vellore - 630 009. ... Respondents PRAYER: The Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents to restore service in route No.186A, 186B, and 186C running between Vellore and Nagapattinam as operated earlier.

For Petitioner : Mr.Varadarajalu S.T.

For Respondents : Mr.V.Jayaprakash Narayanan Government Pleader (I/c)

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by S.MANIKUMAR, J.) Contending inter alia that bus route Nos.186A, 186B, and 186C operated earlier between Vellore and Nagapattinam from 2009 having not been operated from 2018, to restore the same,

the petitioner is stated to have made representations dated 16.02.2019 and 25.02.2019 respectively, to the District Collector and the respondents.

2. Contending further that discontinuation of operation of bus routes has affected public and representations made have not been considered so far, the instant Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus directing respondent Nos. 2 and 3 respectively to restore the above service.

3. On directions, Mr.V.Jayaprakash Narayanan, learned Government Pleader, taking notice for the respondents submitted that operating buses between different places is the prerogative of the respondents.

4. Court cannot issue a specific direction that buses operated earlier and now discontinued, should once again be restored. Though the petitioner has sought for a Mandamus directing respondent Nos. 2 and 3 to operate buses in the aforesaid route, we are of view that suffice to direct respondent Nos. 2 and 3 to consider the representations of the petitioner, in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-IV) //True copy// Sub Assistant Registrar asi

1. The Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Secretariat, St.George Port, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Managing Director, Salamedu, Vizhupuram, Vizhupuram District - 605 602.

3. The General Manager, Sathuvachari, Vellore - 630 009.

+1cc to Government Pleader SR.No.31682 +1cc to Mr.ST.Varadarajulu, Advocate SR.No.31824(29/08/2019) W.P.No.9662 of 2019 SSD(CO) GMY(03/04/2019)