Calcutta High Court Questions State Over Denial Of Auto-Rickshaw Permits On Inactive Bus Routes

The Calcutta High Court recently sought the State's response on the denial of autorickshaw permits in areas where bus permits exist but no buses are currently operating.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Smita Das De was hearing a plea filed by a petitioner aggrieved by an order of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Hooghly, which rejected his application for an autorickshaw permit on Route No. 126 (Uttarpara Railway Station – Dankuni). The rejection was based on a notification issued by the Transport Department, Government of West Bengal. The petitioner's application was rejected on the grounds that the proposed route overlapped with Mini Bus Route No. 225. The RTA also cited severe congestion and the non-availability of parking spaces at both terminal points to justify the denial. Challenging the decision, the petitioner relied on an enquiry report of the RTA itself, which acknowledged that no minibuses were currently plying on Route No. 225, even though several permits for that route remained valid. The Court directed the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority, Hooghly, to file a detailed report within four weeks, which would clarify the current situation on Route No. 225, particularly regarding congestion at both terminal points. The Court also directed that the Chairman of the RTA to provide suggestions on whether auto-rickshaw permits could be considered for issuance in cases where bus operators holding valid permits remain inactive or unwilling to resume service. Specifically, it noted:14. [T]he Chairman, Regional Transport Authority shall also give some suggestions or his valuable opinion to resolve the issue…Presupposedly, if it is found that the existing bus operators having valid permits are unwilling to resume the service and decides to surrender then in that event, to bridge the gap of the vacancy, whether the autorickshaws can be infused and be allowed to have valid permit to ply on the route in question.”The Court directed that the matter be listed on 18 December 2025 for further consideration.Cause Title: Bapan Malik v. State of West Bengal and OrsCase Number: WPA 19427 of 2025Appearance: Mr. Kanishk Sinha, Ms. Lipika Das, and Mr. Dipankar Roy appeared for the Petitioner. Mr. Pantu Deb Roy and Mr. Jaladhi Das appeared for the State.Click Here To Read/Download Order

Calcutta High Court Questions State Over Denial Of Auto-Rickshaw Permits On Inactive Bus Routes

Rushil Batra

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