Train timings and rail connectivity are matters of policy and not for courts to decide on the basis of a public interest petition, the Supreme Court has said in a recent order.
“It is our considered view that matters of train timings and providing new train connectivity between two locations are essentially matters of policy, to be decided by the competent authority on a consideration of host of relevant facts and circumstances and further that such matters are not appropriate for adjudication in a PIL,” a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi observed in the order on December 4.
The apex court set aside a decision of the Uttarakhand High Court to close a PIL filed by the Uttaranchal/Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association after the Indian Railways, under “compelling circumstances”, filed an affidavit that “necessary orders” would be passed to introduce a train between “Kathgodam to Varanasi via Sultanpur/Badlipur or in the alternative the train No. 136 Bareilly to Varanasi Passenger starting from Bareilly be started from Kathgodam and train No. 135 Varanasi-Bareilly Passenger up to Bareilly be run up to Kathgodam”.
The Supreme Court said “clearly the High Court exceeded its jurisdiction” by entertaining the PIL.
Allowing the Centre’s appeal, the apex court “set aside the order of the High Court closing the PIL in terms of the affidavit filed by the Indian Railways”.
The court added that train timings and new connectivity need be changed or introduced, respectively, only if the railway finds its feasible.
“In the event the Railways consider it feasible, necessary and expedient to make any change in timings or providing new connectivity, as the case may be, it will be open for them to do so,” the order said.
