The court upheld the need for authorization in public transport and directed a timely review of permit applications.

JUDGMENT

The petitioners are stage carriage operators conducting service on the route Kolavally – Pulpally – Kenichira – Kalpetta - WIMS Hospital on the strength of valid permits granted by the Regional Transport Authority. The grievance of the petitioners is that the 5^th respondent is operating service on the said route without valid permit and approved set of timings. The petitioners have submitted Ext.P4 application in this regard before the District Collector. The limited prayer of the petitioners at this stage is for a consideration of Ext.P4 by the 4^th respondent.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, the learned Government Pleader and the learned Standing Counsel for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation.

3. The learned Standing Counsel for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation submits that they are operating on the strength of approved permit. 4. In the facts and circumstances of the case and having regard to the submissions made across the Bar, there will be a direction to the 4^th respondent to consider Ext.P4, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners and the 5^th respondent.

The writ petition is disposed of with the above direction.