Madras HC halts road work, development activities at Singanallur lake in Coimbatore
The Madras High Court has issued an interim order halting road construction and development activities at Singanallur lake in Coimbatore. The court cited revenue records classifying the land as a canal and appointed an advocate commissioner to investigate the site.
Why it matters
This ruling underscores the legal protections for water bodies and the importance of environmental compliance in urban development projects.
The Madras High Court has directed the authorities not to proceed with the laying of a road or any further developmental activities at Singanallur lake in Coimbatore, noting that the land through which the road is being laid is classified as a canal in revenue records.
A Division Bench comprising Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the interim order in a petition concerning the restoration and maintenance of the lake. The court also appointed S.J. Mohamed Sathik, advocate, as an Advocate Commissioner to inspect the lake and submit a detailed report.
The court noted that documents produced by petitioner Muralidharan, appearing in person, showed that the Tamil Nadu Government had floated a tender for formation of an earthen road from Vellalore Main Road to Trichy Main Road in Ward 61 of the East Zone. Photographs showed that a pucca road was being laid using heavy machinery.
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