Plea in Kerala High Court against ‘No Vehicle Day’ in Lakshadweep

A petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court, seeking an interim stay on the alleged move by the Lakshadweep Administration to declare each Wednesday as ‘No Vehicle Day’ in the Union Territory.

In his plea, a lawyer from Kalpeni in Lakshadweep alleged that an order issued in this regard prohibited the operation of motor vehicles in the isles on Wednesdays from February 25. Only vehicles used by people with disabilities and those deployed for security and emergency medical services are exempted from the regulation that is purportedly aimed at curbing pollution and promoting public health through walking and bicycling.

The petitioner contended that the regulation would affect freedom of movement and his professional obligations that require frequent travel to Kerala and lacked a rational nexus to its stated objective. People, including patients, who commute between the isles and from the isles to the mainland in ships and the transportation of essential goods from ship terminals too could get affected due to the regulation, he said.