Madras High Court Intervenes to Protect Vaigai River from Sand Mining
In a significant environmental ruling, the Madras High Court has imposed an interim restraint on state highways authorities, prohibiting them from mining sand from the Vaigai river for a major road project in Madurai. The court's decision came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) that highlighted severe ecological threats posed by the mining activities.
Details of the Court Order and Project
A division bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice B Pugalendhi issued the interim order while hearing the PIL filed by Vaigai Rajan, also known as M Nagarajan, who is the founder of the Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam. The petitioner argued that the state highways authorities had proposed constructing an 8-kilometer-long two-lane road with a width of 10.5 meters along the northern bank of the Vaigai river. This road, stretching from near the Kamarajar bridge in Arapalayam to Samayanallur and connecting with NH 44, is estimated to cost 165 crore rupees.
Environmental Concerns Raised in the PIL
The petitioner alleged that under the pretext of laying this road, authorities had encroached upon a water-flowing area of the river. During a site visit, he observed rampant mining of soil from the riverbed using heavy machinery for extraction and transportation purposes. This activity has led to the extraction of original sediment from the river's core surface, resulting in multiple environmental damages:
- Riverbed degradation, which alters the natural flow and structure of the river.
- Loss of aquatic habitat, threatening local wildlife and biodiversity.
- Water table depletion, potentially affecting groundwater resources in the region.
- Soil erosion, leading to instability along the riverbanks.
- Loss of fertile land, impacting agricultural activities nearby.
Furthermore, the petitioner claimed that although funds were allocated for the road project, authorities failed to utilize them for purchasing sand legally and instead resorted to illegal mining from the Vaigai river. He emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation into these practices.
Legal Actions and Demands
Prior to approaching the court, the petitioner submitted a representation to the authorities requesting an inquiry into the illegal sand mining. However, no action was taken, prompting him to file the PIL. In his petition, he sought specific directions from the court:
- To order the authorities to remove all encroachments in the Vaigai river and restore it to its original condition.
- To initiate legal action against those involved in the illegal mining of sand for the project.
The court's interim order now temporarily halts the mining activities, providing a reprieve for the river's ecosystem while the case is under further consideration. This development underscores the growing judicial scrutiny over environmental violations in infrastructure projects, particularly in sensitive areas like riverbanks.
