HC quashes order prohibiting pvt buses from entering Chennai city

Chennai: Madras high court has quashed as “unconstitutional and illegal” a 2024 order issued by the regional transport authority ordering all south bound omni buses to operate only from Kilambakkam bus terminus (KCBT). The order also prohibited south bound omni buses from entering Chennai city with passengers beyond KCBT.

Justice V Lakshminarayanan passed the order on a batch of pleas moved by private omni bus operators and Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association challenging the order issued by the regional transport authority.

At present, in view of an interim order issued by the court, the buses are permitted to operate from inside the city to pick up passengers at designated spots.

The judge said the restrictions imposed on the bus operators by a division bench of the court in 2004 will also have to be enforced. The 2004 order prohibited permanent parking of omni buses on the roadsides of the Chennai city except for stoppage of the buses for pick up and drop out of passengers.

The court added that the arrangement made between the authorities and the bus operators for procedure in relation to pick up / drop off points as well as the utilisation of the place at Varadharajapuram as omni buses parking area can continue.