SUSHARTHIKA A.S. Vs. REGIONAL TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These writ petitions are filed by the Autorickshaw drivers, who were given contract carriage permit to operate all roads in Thrissur District, subject to condition that vehicle shall not park or pick up the passengers from within the city.

(2.) This Court had considered the similar issues and taken the view that the autorickshaw drivers have right to pick up the passengers from any point of the district, that cannot have any restriction. In the light of above, I find that the restriction to picking up the passengers is unsustainable.

(3.) In regard to the parking, the Court cannot direct the Authority to allow the petitioners to park in any space within the city. It is for the Authority to consider the request of the petitioners, if the petitioners are able to point any available place. The parking place would depend up on the area identified by the Transport Authority, and no one can demand a particular parking place for parking the vehicles. If the petitioners point out any available place for parking within the city that can be considered by the Authority in consultation with the local authority. In such circumstances, these writ petitions are disposed of with the following directions: