Calcutta High Court (Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction, Appellate Side), WPA 16001 of 2025, Prabir Dhali v. The State of West Bengal & Ors., order dated 11.11.2025. The petitioner challenged the order dated 29.4.2025 of respondent no.3 (Regional Transport Authority, Hooghly) rejecting his application for a new autorickshaw permit on Route No.126 (Uttarpara Rly. Station Makhla Side to Dankuni), decided at the Board Meeting dated 08.10.2020 and communicated on 29.04.2025 per the meeting of 24.02.2025, on the grounds that the route totally overlaps Mini Bus Route No.225 (no mini bus plying, though permits remain valid and the route is not de-notified, per enquiry dated 10.12.2021) and parking space at both terminal points (Uttarpara Railway Station area and Dankuni) is congested, contravening Clauses 5 and 6 of Notification No.268-WT/3M-01/2010 dated 29.1.2010 of the Transport Department, Government of West Bengal. The petitioner relied on the Chairman, RTA, Hooghly's order dated 06.5.2022 (Annexure-P10) directing notice to route-225 valid permit holders to resume service or surrender permits, failing which suspension/cancellation after hearing under section 86 of the MV Act, and alleged non-consideration of two representations despite Co-ordinate Bench orders dated 6.12.22 and 17.12.2024. The Court directed the Secretary, RTA, Hooghly to file a comprehensive detailed report within four weeks on steps taken pursuant to the 06.5.2022 order and the present status of Route No.225, particularly congestion at both terminal points, and required the Chairman, RTA to offer suggestions/opinion after completing the Section 86, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 exercise, addressing whether autorickshaws may be infused with valid permits if the existing operators surrender; the Court observed that the notification is silent on the fate of non-plying valid permit holders. Report copy to be served on the petitioner in advance; exceptions within two weeks; matter listed for 18.12.2025. Interim/procedural order; merits left open.
