The Allahabad High Court has struck down the decision of Noida authorities to ban plying of cycle-rickshaws in some parts of the city.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Virendra Singh delivered the verdict on May 27 on a writ petition filed by NOIDA Rickshaw Chalak Vikas Samiti.
The Samiti has challenged the decision of Noida authorities to prohibit plying of cycle-rickshaws in Sector 18 and six main roads of the city.
Pronouncing the judgement, the Court took exception to the fact that the decision to prohibit plying of rickshaws was taken at a meeting of the Traffic Management Cell comprising officers of the administration and of the (Noida) Authority.
The views of cycle-rickshaw pullers and the public were not obtained nor taken into consideration, it said.
"The cycle-rickshaw pullers are one of the poorest sections of the society," the Court observed.
"The public in general who uses the cycle-rickshaw as the most frequent and cheap means of transport may also be put to inconvenience by restrictions unless their convenience is also taken into consideration," the Bench said.
It, however, said "restrictions can be imposed in the public interest, but all aspects of the matter have to be looked into by the authorities."
{{/usCountry}}It, however, said "restrictions can be imposed in the public interest, but all aspects of the matter have to be looked into by the authorities."
{{/usCountry}}The Court directed the Noida authorities "not to create any hindrance in the rights of rickshaw pullers from plying their rickshaws in any part of the city."