Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size

Restore Adyar, Cooum rivers to past glory: HC

Print PDF

The Hindu       25.03.2017 

Restore Adyar, Cooum rivers to past glory: HC

Myriad benefits:The court said the restoration of the rivers will ensure unpolluted air and an environment free of health hazards.  

Calls for setting up of high-power panel, dedicated dept.

The First Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday tooksuo motucognisance of the pollution in Adyar and Cooum rivers and directed the State government to appoint a high-power committee and a dedicated department to restore the rivers to their “past glory”.

“The rivers should be cleaned of the sewage and drainage let into them, which is affecting both the ecology of the river and the sea. Sewage treatment plants have to be established at a distance of 20 to 25 km from the city in an area of 50 to 100 acre. The treated water should be utilised for agricultural purposes,” the First Bench of Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh and Justice R.M.T. Teekaa Raman said.

The Bench noted that restoration of the rivers to their past glory was important so that the public could use them for boating and other recreational purposes, and residents of adjoining localities would get unpolluted air and an environment free of health hazards.

Suggesting that the State government approach the Central government for financial assistance, the Bench posted the plea to June 30 for the government to file its response.

Parking space in hotels

The First Bench initiated the suo motu proceeding while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition moved by S. Ragu of Vyasarpadi seeking closure of hotels and restaurants till they provide parking space, open space and fire safety facilities within their premises.

On February 11, the First Bench headed by the then Chief Justice S.K. Kaul directed the authorities to shut down eateries that did not have adequate parking space.

When the PIL came up for hearing before the present Bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice, the Chennai Hotels Association, which has moved an impleading petition, contended that several of the restaurants/eateries in the city were established several decades ago with proper trade licences.

Calling upon them to suddenly provide car parking facilities in crowded areas of the city is tantamount to directing their closure as it would be impossible for these restaurant owners to provide vacant premises near their facilities purely for car parking.

Recording the submissions, the Bench directed the Chennai Corporation to file a counter affidavit to the submissions and posted the PIL to April 13 for further hearing.