We direct that the temple tank has to be restored on a war footing, as has been stated in the proceedings of the District Collector, within 90 days. Even as per the conditions, failure to do so would invite a 5% penalty. We add to say that, if the said tank
Item No.11:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.80 of 2025 (SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF:
Tribunal on its own motion SUO MOTU based on Dinamalar Newspaper Chennai Edition dated 21.04.2025 titled, “The Devotees are suffering due to the stench of heaps of garbage near the temple”.
And
The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu,
Department of Environment, Climate Change & Forests, Chennai and Ors.
…Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 28.07.2026.
CORAM:
HON’BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON’BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu.
For Respondent(s): Mr. J. Vinoth a/w.
Mr. U. Gokulakrishnan for R1, R2 & R4.
Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R3.
Official present: Mr. K. Sundararajan,
Block Development Officer, Kattupakkam.
ORDER
1. Earlier, on 09.12.2025, the District Collector, Tiruvallur, by his proceedings, sanctioned a sum of Rs.5,53,000/- to be utilized from the funds belonging to the Poonamallee Panchayat Union, Kattupakkam Panchayat, for improvement of the Munishwaran Kovil Kulam at Kattupakkam (Steps, Baby Pond 25 × 20 m, Main Pond Size 50 × 40 m) and for clearing the inlets and outlets, with the relevant conditions. The proceedings also state that the said work has to be completed within 90 days on a war footing, failing which a 5% penalty would be imposed. The proceedings also refer to the guidelines issued vide G.O. (Ms.) No. 157, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (PRI) Department, dated 23.09.2000.
2. Today, the learned counsel appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, on obtaining instructions from one Mr. K. Sundarajan, Block Development Officer, Kattupakkam, who is personally present before this Tribunal, states that the abovereferred sanction has been cancelled. The reason stated is that the metro work is going on. The metro work has been going on there for more than a year and it was only when the said work was in progress that the above sanction was granted by the District Collector, Tiruvallur.
3. We are surprised to note that the metro work could be the reason for cancellation of the above sanction granted for restoration of the pond situated next to the temple. Let the District Collector file a report as to why the sanction was granted, why it was cancelled, and what would be the action plan in this regard.
4. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has filed a report through e-mail dated 27.07.2026. As per the report, an inspection was caused on 09.03.2026 and observed as follows:
1. About 90% (approx.) of the solid waste dumped at the site was removed and remaining 10% (approx.) is yet to be removed.
2. It was informed by the local body (Poonamallee Panchayat Union) representatives that about 80 loads of legacy solid waste each of capacity 13 T/load was removed so far. Further, 10 loads of legacy solid waste i.e. 130 T (approx.) is yet to be cleaned from the site.
3. It was further informed by the local body (Poonamallee Panchayat Union) representatives that the remaining waste will be completely removed in 2-3 days.
5. Again, another inspection was carried out on 02.04.2026 and it was found that the solid waste had not been completely removed from the site, as informed. On 08.04.2026, the TNPCB issued a letter to the Block Development Officer, Poonamallee Panchayat Union, directing him to remove the solid wastes dumped adjacent to Sri Poori Marathava Muneeswarar Temple at Kattupakkam and dispose of the same in a scientific manner. Further, the handling and dumping of solid waste at the site were directed to be stopped immediately. The local authority was also directed to implement proper measures for handling solid waste within the jurisdiction of the Poonamallee Panchayat Union and to ensure systematic collection, segregation, storage and disposal as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
6. As a follow-up, the TNPCB has also issued another letter dated 14.05.2026 to the Block Development Officer, Poonamallee Panchayat Union, directing him to ensure strict compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules. The photographs annexed to the report evidence that, including the legacy waste, fresh waste is also being dumped at the site and the same has not been removed.
7. From the above facts, it is clear that, despite the matter being pending before this Tribunal and being followed up periodically, the local authority has not cared to handle the solid waste in the manner known to law and has disobeyed our orders to restore the pond situated next to the temple.
8. Admittedly, the pond is to be maintained by the Panchayat, as it belongs to the Panchayat. It is now stated that even the land on which the solid waste is being dumped also belongs to the Panchayat and it is its responsibility to maintain the same.
9. The Block Development Officer, Mr. K.
Sundararajan, who is personally present before this Tribunal, has stated that there is another site where the waste is now being dumped and that the same is being transported to Appur Village in Sriperumbudur.
10. As the Original Application pertains only to the vacant site next to the temple and the pond, which is neglected by the Panchayat and are to be restored to their original status, the Block Development Officer is directed to clean up the site next to the temple and not use the same as a dumping yard. As the said site is situated right on the highway, dumping of waste should not be done there and the place should be put to better use, which may also facilitate the devotees who come to the temple.
11. We direct that the temple tank has to be restored on a war footing, as has been stated in the proceedings of the District Collector, within 90 days. Even as per the conditions, failure to do so would invite a 5% penalty. We add to say that, if the said tank is not restored, rejuvenated and maintained properly, the officer in charge and the Head of the Department concerned would be personally liable for the same as per the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. We only expect that we will not be compelled to exercise our powers under Section 28 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 and take action against the Head of the Department, who may be deemed to be guilty of such failure to obey with our order.
12. The District Collector, Tiruvallur is directed to file an interim report regarding the progress made before the date of the next hearing.
13. Post the matter on 08.09.2026.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM
Sd/-
Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM
O.A.No.80/2025 (SZ), 28th July, 2026. AD.
