HC dismisses PIL seeking ban on private buses in city limits

The Karnataka High Court on Friday disposed a petition seeking directions to halt or park private buses and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses at the Bengaluru outskirts' bus-stands and not allow them inside the city.

A division bench of chief justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav were hearing a public interest litigation filed by Nagesh N, a resident of Kumara Park West, Bengaluru.

According to the petitioner, the traffic of the city is increasing every single day. Thus, there is a dire need to halt or park private buses and KSRTC buses on the city outskirts to avoid the heavy traffic and reduce the number of accidents. This will also lead to a reduction in traffic jams and help in reducing and noise and sound pollution in the city.

The petitioner further contended that the government is also aware of these issues and has already constructed alternative bus stands in the outskirts of the city like the Basaveshwara bus stand in Peenya and a Satellite bus stand on Mysore Road. However, they are not used properly.

The bench observed that banning the private buses from entering the city will not help to reduce the traffic and accidents and that the petition needs to be more comprehensive in nature.

The court then directed the petitioner to withdraw the PIL and file it afresh with the suggested modifications like solutions for the issues mentioned.