The high court issued notices to the state, KSPCB, a taxi drivers’ union, Uber India and Ola while hearing a petition challenging the grant of auto permits.

Fresh permits would be subject to the result of the writ petition, the court said. The court was hearing a petition by Nithin Puthige, a software professional, who challenged the transport department’s notification enhancing the ceiling of auto permits from 1.25 lakh to 1.5 lakh. Puthige contended that in 2013, the HC, alarmed by the increase in city noise pollution, initiated suo moto proceedings. The court’s direction was not taken to a logical end, he contended.

The petitioner sought directions to protect the environment and to fix a ceiling by considering the traffic density of the city.