The Calcutta High Court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed raising grievance that some serious steps have to be taken to address overcrowding of trains plying within the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway.
The petition has been filed by a train enthusiast by the name of Mr. Tathagata Datta, who appears in person before the High Court.
The petitioner stated that a detail survey has to be conducted among common citizens and regular commuters of suburban local trains, to understand their need of local train service within Kolkata metropolitan railway network and to produce a report as to why no appropriate scientific review of the latest edition of Suburban Public Time Table belongs to Kolkata suburban railway network.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hrranmay Bhattacharyya is of the considered view, the reliefs, which have been sought for in the petition, cannot be granted as the Court cannot direct the authorities to act in a particular fashion but the Bench observed that if the petitioner has any viable solution to remedy the problem the petitioner would approach the authorities with such suggestions.
Therefore, the Court declined to grant relief sought for in the writ petition but grant liberty to the petitioner appearing in person to approach the Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway by way of a concise representation clearly indicating the suggestions and not making any vague allegation or statement. If such suggestions are given the Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway shall examine the same and take action in accordance with law , the Bench ordered.