A lawyer has approached the Madras High Court seeking the removal of a commercial complex and public toilets constructed by filling a quarry pond located on government land in Thiruneermalai. Advocate O Udhayakumar, the petitioner, alleged that authorities of the Tambaram Corporation filled the pond with soil and construction debris and built five commercial complexes and a public toilet on the site.
Court admits plea
Admitting the plea on Friday, a division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Surender directed the authorities to respond to the petition within four weeks. The petitioner, a resident of Thirumangai Azhwarpuram, Thiruneermalai, stated that the quarry pond had existed for several decades and served as a natural water body that helped prevent flooding during the monsoon season.
Environmental concerns
The petitioner argued that the closure of the pond poses a threat to public safety, as it no longer absorbs excess rainwater. He also expressed concern that the construction of toilets in the water body could lead to environmental damage and contamination of groundwater. According to the petitioner, the land is classified as 'vettu pallam' (quarry pit) in revenue records.
“The land was used to quarry stones. In the process, a deep depression was formed over several years, which evolved as a water body in the area. The pond was at least 50 feet deep, and it has been closed with construction debris by the authorities,” he said.
The petitioner urged the court to direct the authorities to remove the illegal constructions and restore the pond to its original state to prevent future flooding and environmental harm.
