Madras High Court
Johnson Christopher William vs / on 17 September, 2025
Author: Anita Sumanth
Bench: Anita Sumanth
W.P.(MD)No.25590 of 2025
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 17.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN
W.P.(MD)No.25590 of 2025
Johnson Christopher William ... Petitioner
/Vs./
1.The Transport Commissioner,
Transport and Road Safety Department,
Chennai.
2.The Joint Transport Commissioner,
Madurai Zone,
Madurai.
3.The Regional Transport Officer,
Regional Transport Office,
Palani Region, Dindigul.
... Respondent
PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to
permit mini bus operations or operation of State Transport Corporation
carriers in the route between Sastha Nagar, Viswanatha Nagar, Gandhi
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W.P.(MD)No.25590 of 2025
Nagar Eest, Gandhi Nagar Wast, Thideer Nagar, Karuppanna Nagar,
Christu Nagar and JJ Nagar to Ottanchatram Bus Stand, Dindigul
District, based on the representations of the petitioner dated 26.02.2025,
13.03.2025 and 25.06.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramanathan
For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok
Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.) The prayer is for a Mandamus directing the authorities of the Transport and Road Safety Department to permit mini bus operations, or operation of State Transport Corporation carriers in the route between Sastha Nagar, Vishwanatha Nagar, Gandhi Nagar East, Gandhi Nagar West, Thideer Nagar, Karuppanna Nagar, Christu Nagar and JJ Nagar to Ottanchatram Bus stand, Dindigul District.
2.The petitioner has, in fact, made representations making an identical plea before the authorities on multiple occasions.
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3.Mr.J.Ashok, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice for the respondents and circulates a copy of the proceedings in R.No.2588/A2/2025, dated 07.03.2024 (sic 07.03.2025), rejecting the request of the petitioner on the ground that the roads for which service is sought would not be possible. The learned Additional Government Pleader has also solicited and received instructions from the Regional Transport Officer, Palani, the operative portion of which, read as follows:
'.......
The Government have formulated a "New Comprehensive Scheme 2024", whereby new routes for the operation of minibuses are to be identified the Regional Transport Authorities.
The above said scheme was notified vide G.O.Ms.No.198 Home (Transport-I) Dept. dated 29.04.2025. The parameters for identifying new routes includes the following among other things
(a) the route length should not exceed 25 kms
(b) Of the total length of the route so identified, 65% of the length should be on the unserved area and the remaining 35% of the length may be on the served area [served area means area catered by existing bus service).
As per the above G.O. The Petitioner representation could not be operated the mini buses due to route length is very low. This fact was already conveyed to the petitioner by this office Letter R.No.2558/A2/2025 dated 07.03.2025.
3/6https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 19/09/2025 05:29:55 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.25590 of 2025 In shortly the Government is proposed to implement the Small Vans (i.e) 12 16 seating capacity vehicles will be issued as mini bus permit. The necessary G.O is awaiting. Hence the petitioner request will be considered in this New Scheme when the G.O. received.'
4.The authorities have confirmed that the request of the petitioner will be considered as and when the new scheme which is proposed for the implementation of small vans and carriers, becomes operational. A copy of the proceedings in R.No.2588/A2/2025 dated 07.03.2024, is handed over to Mr.S.Ramanathan, learned counsel for the petitioner, for onward transmission to the petitioner for challenge, if the petitioner so desires.
5.In the above circumstances, Mandamus as sought for is not liable to be issued and the same is dismissed, with liberty to the petitioner to challenge order dated 07.03.2024, in accordance with law, if he so desires. No costs.
[A.S.M.J.,] & [C.K.J.,]
17.09.2025
NCC :Yes/No
Index :Yes/No
Internet :Yes
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W.P.(MD)No.25590 of 2025
To
1.The Transport Commissioner,
Transport and Road Safety Department, Chennai.
2.The Joint Transport Commissioner, Madurai Zone, Madurai.
3.The Regional Transport Officer, Regional Transport Office, Palani Region, Dindigul.
5/6https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 19/09/2025 05:29:55 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.25590 of 2025 DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.
AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.
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