A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed on Wednesday before the Bombay High Court, has raised concerns about passenger safety, thereby urging the court to direct the State to implement the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020. The plea seeks to ensure the safety of passengers traveling in vehicles operated by transport aggregators.
The court, in its order, directed the State Government to outline the steps taken to comply with its earlier order dated March 7, 2022. This earlier order had directed the State to finalize draft rules under Section 96 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
“An affidavit shall be filed by the State Government within three weeks, not only containing a paragraph-wise reply to the averments made in the instant PIL petition but also pointing out the steps taken by the State Government to ensure compliance with the order dated March 7, 2022,” the court order stated.
The PIL, filed by petitioner Amitoj Inder Singh, highlights the risks faced by passengers using transport aggregator services.
“Although the Central Government framed guidelines known as the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 on November 27, 2020, which are statutory in nature, passenger safety in vehicles operated by transport aggregators remains at risk. Accordingly, directions are sought for the implementation of these guidelines and the adoption of additional measures necessary to ensure passenger safety and security,” argued the petitioner’s advocate.
The petition also claims that the State has failed to implement the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020, which were issued under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 29, 2025.
