The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to submit detailed information in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking orders to operate buses from the bus station at Mummidivaram. The petition was filed by YSRCP MLC Kudipudi Suryanarayana Rao, who contended that buses are not plying from the bus station due to encroachments on the main road.
Petitioner's Arguments
Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, advocate Bokka Satyanarayana informed the court that urban local body officials have failed to remove the encroachments along the route to the bus station. He pointed out that these encroachments have made it impossible for buses to enter the bus station, rendering it useless for the past five years. As a result, passengers are facing severe difficulties boarding buses, as they are forced to wait on the roadside, exposed to weather conditions.
Court's Queries
The High Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice N Jayasurya, inquired whether bus shelters are available on the road and if any proposals exist to relocate the bus station. Satyanarayana responded that there is no bus shelter on the road, causing passengers to suffer from the vagaries of nature.
Government's Response
The government pleader stated that the civic body is taking steps to remove the encroachments and sought time to submit details. Considering the submissions, the High Court asked the respondents to file counters. However, the court declined to issue notices to local MLA D Bucchiraju and MP Gunti Harish Mathur, who were included as respondents in the petition, and advised the petitioner not to politicize the PIL.
