The flea markets proposed to be set up in Chennai Corporation playgrounds and public parks are only at the discussion stage. If ultimately a decision is taken, the market would be established only in unutilised space and that too, after following the procedure under the relevant acts and as per judicial pronouncements.
This submission was made by the civic body’s counsel when a public interest litigation petition opposing the proposal came up before the First Bench comprising the Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan.
Counsel also said due publicity would be given for inviting objections from the public, if any, to the proposal.
The petitioner, A.P. Suryaprakasam, an advocate of Royapettah, said that due to rampant encroachments, the city had already lost several big lakes and open spaces. Chennai now had 260 public parks and 228 playgrounds. Children were suffering due to non-availability of sufficient number of playgrounds.
The Bench disposed of the petition in terms of the submission by the counsel for the official respondent.
