The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Additional Government Pleader to get instructions on the status of the Arignar Anna Stadium in the District Sports Complex at Cuddalore, where a helipad is located.
In his interim order on a petition by the former Cuddalore MLA, Ela. Pugazhendi, Justice V. Ramasubramanian also asked the government to give information on who bore the expenses for the expansion of the helipad.
The petitioner said the stadium, the second largest in the State, was being maintained by the District Spots and Youth Welfare Officer. He alleged that in April this year, the helipad area was extended from 29.80 square metres to 45 square metres to facilitate the landing of the helicopter used by Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa for the Lok Sabha poll campaign.
The helipad, in its original size itself, was safe, and there was no need to extend it by encroaching upon a football playground. To an RTI question, the Collector replied in May that no order was passed by the government for extending the helipad. Mr. Pugazhendi said it was not known how the helipad was allowed to be expanded and who bore the expenditure.
He prayed that the Secretary of the Department of Youth Welfare and Sports Development be directed to consider his April 21 representation and order the removal of the extended portion of the helipad and restore the playground for regular use. The entire expenditure for the work and compensation should be collected from the AIADMK, he said.
