BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and W.M.P.(MD).No.3984 and 4002 of 2026 W.P.(MD).No.4768 of 2026 K.Prabakara Kannan ... Petitioner Vs

1.The District Collector cum Regional Transport Authority, Madurai District, Madurai-625 020.

2.The Regional Transport Officer, Madurai South, Madurai District. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to permit the petitioner's Mini Bus bearing Registration No.TN 49-C 9135 to enter into Periyar Bus Stand from Crime Branch a distance of 0.5 km as per Class VII of the new Mini Bus Scheme in G.O.(Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I) Department dated 28.04.2025 and other reliefs.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.C.Asaithambi For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Special Government Pleader W.P.(MD).No.4769 of 2026 K.Prabakara Kannan ... Petitioner Vs

1.The District Collector cum Regional Transport Authority, Madurai District, Madurai-625 020.

2.The Regional Transport Officer, Madurai South, Madurai District. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to permit the petitioner's Mini Bus bearing Registration No.TN 45-N 0407 to enter into Periyar Bus Stand from Crime Branch a distance of 0.5 km as per Class VII of the new Mini Bus Scheme in G.O.(Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I) Department dated 28.04.2025 and other reliefs.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.C.Asaithambi For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Special Government Pleader

COMMON ORDER

These writ petitions have been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to permit the petitioner’s Mini Buses bearing Registration Nos. TN-49-C-9135 and TN-45-N-0407 to enter Periyar Bus Stand from Crime Branch for a distance of 0.5 km, in terms of Clause VII of G.O. (Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I) Department, dated 28.04.2025, and for consequential reliefs.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is operating mini bus services on the route Viraganoor Ring Road to Sengundram Junction. Migration was granted to the petitioner for the said route. The total route length is 15.4 kms, comprising 5.2 kms of served sector and 10.2 kms of unserved sector. According to the petitioner, the mini bus covers more than eight rural areas and runs from Viraganoor Ring Road touching Crime Branch and thereafter reaches Sengundram Junction.

2.(i). It is the further submission of the petitioner that Periyar Bus Stand is situated at a distance of about 0.5 km from Crime Branch and that, at the time of seeking migration, he had requested the authorities to permit extension of the route up to Periyar Bus Stand. However, such permission was not granted. Placing reliance upon Clause VII of G.O.

(Ms).No.198, dated 28.04.2025, the petitioner seeks the present relief.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that orders may be passed in accordance with law.

4. This Court has carefully considered the submissions made on either side.

5. Clause VII of G.O.(Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I)

Department, dated 28.04.2025, provides that if any adjoining area within one kilometre from the terminal point happens to be a Government Hospital, Higher Secondary School, College, Railway Station, Uzhavarsandhai, Agricultural Regulatory Market, Collectorate, Taluk Office, places of famous religious worship or a place just before a bus stand, and if the served sector exceeds the maximum permitted route length, the Regional Transport Authority, in consultation with the stakeholders concerned, may permit an additional distance of up to one kilometre in the served sector to enable passengers to reach such specified places. The said clause specifically states that this concession shall not apply to places other than those mentioned therein.

6. I