HC restrains authorities from laying pathway inside kanmoi

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered an interim injunction restraining the authorities from laying a pathway inside Rajagambeeram kanmoi in Othakadai, Madurai.

A Division Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi was hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by G. Thirumurugan of Ramanathapuram district.

The petitioner said that the authorities had allocated ₹7.5 crore for constructing a pathway along the waterbody to promote public health.

However, the proposed pathway design bisects the waterbody, reducing the original waterbody area. It disrupts the natural water flow from the Periyar Irrigation Canal, leaving one side dry without access to receive water, he complained.

He said if the proposed pathway was laid in such a manner, the dried-up area on the highway side would become isolated and neglected, making it vulnerable to encroachment.

He sought a direction to the authorities to construct the pathway around Rajagambeeram kanmoi strictly along its full perimeter without intersecting or dividing the area of the waterbody. He sought a direction to the authorities to ensure uninterrupted water flow from the Periyar Irrigation Canal and to maintain the waterbody’s original extent as per the revenue records.