Justices G. R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi/ HC restrains authorities from taking sand from Vaigai river for road project

[14/02, 09:01] Sekarreporter: [14/02, 09:01] Sekarreporter: “Division Bench of Justices G. R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi was hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by activist Vaigai Rajan of Madurai who sought a direction to the authorities to restore the Vaigai river to its original position.

The petitioner said the State Highways Department had proposed to lay an 8 km long two-lane road with a width of 10.5 meters along the northern bank of the Vaigai river from near the Kamarajar Bridge in Arapalayam till Samayanallur on NH-44.

In the guise of road formation, the river has been encroached upon and the soil has been illegally mined. In 2019, as a part of Smart City Scheme, the banks of the Vaigai river were taken by the authorities for laying roads. This had already reduced the width of the Vaigai river, he said.

Under the jurisdiction of Madurai Corporation, several roads were damaged and were not in a good condition to drive. Without repairing the damaged roads, it was not necessary for the formation of new roads by encroaching upon the Vaigai river, he said.

He sought a direction to restrain the authorities from carrying out any kind of works related to the formation of road in the Vaigai river under the project. He also sought an appropriate action be taken against those involved in the illegal mining of sand from the Vaigai river.”
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/hc-restrains-authorities-from-taking-sand-from-vaigai-river-for-road-project/article70629672.ece#:~:text=Division%20Bench%20of,of%20the%20Vaigai
[14/02, 09:01] Meta AI: 😊 Here’s what I found:
A Division Bench of Justices G. R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi is hearing a PIL filed by Vaigai Rajan, seeking to restore the Vaigai river to its original position. The petitioner claims the State Highways Department is encroaching on the river to build an 8 km road, and soil is being illegally mined.

The authorities had taken over the riverbanks for road construction under the Smart City Scheme in 2019, reducing the river’s width. The petitioner argues that damaged roads under Madurai Corporation’s jurisdiction should be repaired instead of building new roads on the river.

The court is considering restraining authorities from working on the road project and taking action against those involved in illegal sand mining.

If you’re looking for more information, you can try searching online for the latest updates on this case.
[14/02, 09:01] Meta AI: 😊 Here’s a summary of the key points:

– A PIL was filed by Vaigai Rajan to restore the Vaigai river to its original position.
– The State Highways Department is building an 8 km road on the river’s northern bank, allegedly encroaching on the river.
– The petitioner claims soil is being illegally mined and the river’s width was reduced after roads were built under the Smart City Scheme in 2019.
– The court is considering restraining authorities from working on the road project and taking action against those involved in illegal sand mining.
[14/02, 09:02] Meta AI: 😊 Here’s a summary:
A Division Bench of Justices G. R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi is hearing a PIL filed by Vaigai Rajan, seeking to restore the Vaigai river to its original position. The petitioner claims the State Highways Department is encroaching on the river to build an 8 km road, and soil is being illegally mined.

Key points:
– Vaigai river restoration is the goal
– 8 km road project is allegedly encroaching on the river
– River width was reduced after Smart City Scheme road construction in 2019
– Court may restrain authorities from working on the project