Court clears Trekkers use as maxi cabs

KOLKATA: Using trekkers and other large vehicles as maxi cabs or stage carriages is no longer illegal.
The Calcutta High Court has set aside an interim notification by the state government that they would be given permits only as contract carriages.
The order followed a writ petition by Rupak Saha and seven other trekker owners, having permit to ply between Chakdaha bus stand and Serampore, seeking conversion from contract carriage to stage carriage.
The petition contended that the motive behind the state government''s policy was just to realise additional revenue.
Trekkers on route as stage carriage have to pay Rs 900 per annum. But as they were given permit as contract carriages, they had to pay an additional Rs 6,400.
Justice Sujit Burman Roy earlier had issued a rule and showcause notice against RTA, Nadia as to why their permit should not be converted into stage carriage and why the government notification should not be set aside.
The matter was heard by Justice Pradipta Roy. He set aside the notification and directed the RTA to convert the permit of the petitioners'' vehicles from contract carriage to stage carriage.