Bus Operator’s Manendragarh Route Permit Application Must Be Decided Within 30 Days, Chhattisgarh HC Directs

The petitioner applied on 01.09.2026 for a permanent stage carriage permit to operate on the Pendraroad–Manendragarh route.

He alleged that the application remained undecided despite reminders and beyond the period prescribed by Rule 74(4) of the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1994.

The State submitted that the competent authority would decide the application in accordance with law within a reasonable time.

The application’s pendency was admitted.

Rule 74(4) of the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1994, as noted by the Court, contemplates that an application for a permit be considered and decided within 60 days.

The competent authority must decide the application in accordance with law; the Court may direct a time-bound decision where an application remains pending.

The application had been pending since 01.09.2026, and no decision had been taken despite the 60-day period contemplated by Rule 74(4).

In light of that admitted position and the State counsel’s submission that the application would be decided, the Court considered a time-bound direction appropriate to meet the ends of justice.

It left the merits of the permit application to the competent authority.

The Court expressed no opinion on the merits of the application; all issues were left open, and no costs were ordered.