CHENNAI: Censuring the State for failing to provide a proper explanation over the encroachment of a public road by a temple near Ramapuram, the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Chennai Corporation Commissioner to appoint a person and the petitioner to jointly carry out an inspection and file a report in 14 days.

The issue pertains to Ramapuram Kalasathamman Koil temple authorities encroaching the public road by building an extra mandapam and putting up barricades to restrict the road to only two-wheelers, which was hindering the pathway. According to the petitioner, A Nakeeran, the Tahsildar rejected his plea stating there would be a law and order issue and cannot act on it, despite admitting that the temple had encroached the public land and obstructed the pathway.

The counsel for the petitioner, RS Akila, said that due to the road blockage, the residents were forced to travel an additional two km. The worst part is that it also blocks access to a minibus, an ambulance and a fire service in case of an emergency.