MADURAI OMNI BUS TRAVELS OWNERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION Vs. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, the Madurai Omni Bus Owners Welfare Association, challenges Notification dated 28.11.2014 (in short 'impugned Notification') issued by the District Collector placing restrictions on the movement of omni buses in and around Madurai City and in the sub-urban areas of Madurai.

(2.) The submissions of Mr. Meenakshi Sundaram, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner are that the petitioner is a registered society formed for the welfare of omni bus owners. Initially, all buses were being operated from the Periyar Bus stand and thereafter, post setting up of a new bus stand exclusively for omni buses at Maatuthavani, the buses are being operated from the latter stand alone. However, the buses were being permitted to enter into the city with certain restrictions imposed on the time of entry and exit, thus enabling them to pick and set down/drop passengers at certain points within the city before finally concluding their journey at the bus stand.

(3.) The impugned Notification prohibits the entry of the omni buses into the city and they are thus unable to pick and drop the passengers from designated points within the city causing the passengers untold inconvenience and adversely affecting the petitioners' business interests as well. According to the petitioner, all its members hold valid All-India permits issued by the Transport authority and the restriction imposed under the impugned Notification impinges upon the permits held by them.