A public interest litigation petition was filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday seeking a direction for the ring road proposed in Karur be laid as per the original plan.
P. Elangovan of Karur, the petitioner, stated that a ring road for Karur was sanctioned by then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. A government order was issued.
He stated that the original plan for the proposed road was a straight one as per the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Indian Road Congress. However, the plan was altered in several places, contended the petitioner. He stated that for the benefit of a few politicians, the road was being re-aligned, so as to boost the value of the lands in their possession.
ADVERTISEMENT
He further stated that a few real estate owners were also using their political influence in altering the plan so as to increase the value of their properties.
The main intention of creating a ring road is to ease traffic congestion and enable easy transport mobility. However, the altered plan could choke the road with traffic. With the acquisition of land for laying the road yet to commence, the alignment plan needs reconsideration, stated the petitioner.
A division bench of Justices M. Venugopal and S.S.Sundar directed notice to the respondents, The Principal Secretary to Government, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Chennai, The Chief Engineer (Construction and Maintenance), Highways Department, Chennai, and Karur Collector.
ADVERTISEMENT