Vanchinathan.S v. Union Of Indian Rep By Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 28.05.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY and THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Vanchinathan.S Social Activist and Agriculturist ... Petitioner Vs.
1.Union of India rep. by the Secretary Ministry of Railways Government of India Rail Bhavan, 256-A Raisina Road, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001 2.The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Railway Board, Rail Bhavan 236, Raisina Road, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001 3.The General Manager Chennai 600 003
4.The Divisional Railway Manager Divisional Railway Manager's Office DRM Complex Trichirappalli 620 001 ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to immediately restore the Direct Passenger Train Service between Mayiladuthurai Railway Junction and Karaikudi Railway Junction in both directions to take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of Direct Passenger Train Services on the Mayiladuthurai - Karaikudi route in the interest of public welfare, religious freedom, environmental sustainability and regional development to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 15.03.2025, along with other related representations, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.Purjith Narayanan for Mr.A.M.Baalakrishnan For Respondents : Mr.K.Srinivasamurthy Special C.G. - R1 to R4
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.) By this petition styled as a public interest litigation, the petitioner seeks a direction for the restoration of the Direct Passenger Train Service
between Mayiladuthurai Railway Junction and Karaikudi Railway Junction in both directions. The writ petition was filed after submitting representation dated 15.03.2025 in this regard. 2.Mr.K.Srinivasamurthy accepts notice on behalf of all the respondents.
3.The decision as to whether a direct passenger train service should be restored on a particular route is a decision to be taken by the Railways after considering all relevant factors, including anticipated traffic, financial implications and the like. Therefore, positive mandamus as requested for cannot be granted.
4.Nonetheless, since the petitioner has submitted representation dated 15.03.2025, such representation may be examined on merits by the 3rd respondent.
5.Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the
representation, the 3rd respondent is directed to consider and dispose of representation dated 15.03.2025 within three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.
[S.K.R, J.] [T.V.T.S, J.] 28.05.2025 kas Index: Yes / No To.
1.The Secretary Union of India Ministry of Railways Government of India Rail Bhavan, 256-A Raisina Road, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001 2.The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Railway Board, Rail Bhavan 236, Raisina Road, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001 3.The General Manager Chennai 600 003 4.The Divisional Railway Manager
Divisional Railway Manager's Office DRM Complex Trichirappalli 620 001 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.
AND T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.
kas 28.05.2025