The Nagpur Bus Operators Association has challenged a notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) on August 12 before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The notice had imposed a complete ban on pick-up and drop-off of passengers by private buses within the city’s inner ring road.
The petitioners argued that this order has severely affected private bus services. Acting on the plea, the High Court issued notices to the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), and Nagpur Municipal Commissioner. Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Ajit Kothalkar directed the authorities to file their replies by Friday, August 22.
According to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, Section 243-A, it is the duty of the municipal commissioner to arrange parking facilities or earmark designated spots for private buses. Despite repeated demands over the years, the administration has not provided bus terminals or official bus stops for private operators.
The petition further pointed out that the State Transport Commissioner and the Director General of Police (Traffic) had already issued orders on July 2 and July 3, 2025, instructing that no action be taken against private buses holding “All India Permits.” Despite this, the DCP (Traffic) issued the disputed notice.
The petitioners requested the High Court to quash the August 12 notification, calling it arbitrary and unconstitutional. They argued it violates Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee fundamental rights. The plea also sought directions to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and government departments to identify and allocate parking spaces and bus stops for private buses within three months.
Advocates Tushar Mandlekar and Shishir Uke appeared for the petitioners, while Advocate General Umesh Gupta and others represented the operators. They maintained that under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 117, the power to designate bus stops and parking points rests with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), not with the traffic police.
The petition highlighted that despite traffic congestion caused by both MSRTC and private buses, the authorities selectively targeted only 1,600 private buses, imposing a discriminatory ban. The operators called the move unjust and violative of equality before law.
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