The Madras High Court has issued a directive to the Madurai Corporation to immediately cease all commercial operations that were entrusted to private individuals in 14 buildings constructed on the banks of the Vandiyur Lake in Madurai. The order came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by N Manikandan, who sought the closure of food stalls and a ban on visitors bringing plastic materials into the Vandiyur Park in KK Nagar. The petitioner also requested a restraint on the corporation from installing amusement equipment, such as a giant wheel, inside the park and from collecting entry fees from visitors.
Court Observations on Environmental Impact
A division bench comprising Justice R Suresh Kumar and Justice P Vadamalai observed that the commercial activities have led to significant littering, with plastics being used and discarded indiscriminately. This was evident from photographs submitted by the petitioner. The court emphasized that such activities hamper the atmosphere of the lake and impede the protection of the water body. Consequently, the judges directed the corporation to immediately shut down all commercial ventures on the lake, its banks, and the park, stating that the lake should be used only for permissible activities like boating.
Restrictions on Amusement Equipment and Fees
The court also restrained the corporation from installing any further amusement equipment without specific leave from the court. Additionally, the corporation was barred from collecting any fees from visitors for walking, sitting in the park, or children playing in the designated area. The park must remain open only from 6 AM to 10 AM and from 3 PM to 8 PM, with no entry allowed during other hours. The judges further ordered that existing trees and vegetation should not be cut for park development.
The corporation is required to comply with these interim orders and submit a compliance report to the court within one month.
