The city Government has told the Delhi High Court that the decision to bar Gramin Sewa autorickshaws from plying inside city areas was taken in the larger interest of public and road safety.
The State Transport Department, however, said so far, the decision has not been implemented and hence, the plea of autorickshaw owners was premature and be dismissed. “The resolution restricting Gramin Sewa operation beyond Outer Ring Road was taken after due discussion in the State Transport Authority board meeting in the larger interest of public and road safety,” the affidavit, filed by Yogesh Pratap, Deputy Secretary of STA, said.
The submissions were made in the affidavit filed before a bench of Justice Manmohan which had earlier sought a response from the department on the plea of Gramin Sewa Vehicle Owner Welfare Association seeking quashing of the decision to bar ‘Gramin Sewa’ autorickshaws from plying inside city areas. The Route Rationalisation Committee of STA had on August 12 last year, taken a decision on the routes of Gramin Sewa autorickshaws and decided that they will be allowed to operate only in those areas which fall outside the Outer Ring Road in the national Capital.