The Federation Of Bus Operations Association Of Tamil Nadu v. State Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 09.07.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE N.MALA W.P.No .24452 of 2025 The Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu rep by its Secretary 6, Bishop Wallers Avenue (East) Chennai 600 004 ... Petitioner Vs.
1.State of Tamil Nadu Rep by the Secretary to Government Home (Transport I) Department Fort Saint George, Chennai 600 009
2. The Transport Commissioner Guindy, Chennai 600 032 ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 consider and pass orders on the representation of the petitioner dated 23.08.2023, for operating the member's vehicles, which are operating for route length of 80 kms and above as express service and to collect express fares.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Palani For Respondents : Mrs.C.Meera Arumugam Additional Government Pleader Page No.1 of 5
O R D E R
This Writ Petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 23.08.2023, seeking permission to its members for operating their vehicles for route length of 80 kms and above, as express service by collecting express fares.
2. The petitioner is a registered Association registered under the Societies Registration Act, bearing Registration No.8 of 1977. Its members consists of various District bus owners Association of each District. There are about 2000 private bus operators in the State of Tamil Nadu, and all the operators are operating stage carriage services such as Express, ordinary and town services in their respective Districts. While so, a District Association was formed and registered. The stage carriage services are classified as City and Town Service, Express Service and Ordinary Service. Out of the 2000 private bus operators, 1337 buses are operating stage carriage services for a Page No.2 of 5
route length exceeding 80 kms.
3. The petitioner relying on the Amendment to Rule 3 (i) of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1939, submitted a representation on 23.08.2023, to the respondents seeking permission to its members to operate stage carriage services as express service and for collecting express bus fare. The respondents did not respond to the petitioner's representation and therefore, the petitioner filed the above writ petition seeking the above relief.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner's representation is pending for over two years and therefore he would restrict his prayer for a direction to the respondents to dispose of the petitioner's representation, within a time frame fixed by this court.
5. In view of the above facts and considering that the petitioner's representation is kept pending without any action for more than two years, I Page No.3 of 5
deem it appropriate to direct the first respondent to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's represetation dated 23.08.2023, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. In the result, this writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 09.07.2025 Index :
Yes/No Speaking Order :
Yes/No :
Yes/No To 1.State of Tamil Nadu Rep by the Secretary to Government Home (Transport I) Department Fort Saint George, Chennai 600 009
2. The Transport Commissioner Guindy, Chennai 600 032 Page No.4 of 5
N.MALA .,J gv W.P.No.24452 of 2025 09.07.2025 Page No.5 of 5