Bus stand on lake bed: HC orders notices

Chennai, June 27 (UNI) Madras High Court today ordered notices to authorities seeking to declare a resolution to establish a new bus stand on lake bed in Tindivanam as illegal and contrary to the environmental laws.

A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice P Sathasivam and Mr Justice V Danapalan ordered notices to Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Commissioner of Municipal Administration and Trindivanam Municipality and directed them to maintain status quo.

S Venkatesan of Tindivanam sought to declare a resolution of Tinidivanam Municipality dated June 13, 2006, adopted at an emergency meeting held on the day to establish a new bus stand on the lake bed in Tindivanam, as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the environmental laws.

According to the petitioner, by a resolution dated May 25,1998 the then Municipal Council decided to establish the new bus stand on the land.

The government alienated the land to Tindivanam Municipality for a consideration of Rs 12.79 lakh. Following opposition from the public and taking into consideration the environmental hazards, the municipality did not proceed in the matter and now the lake was filled with water, the main source of drinking water to the people.

On July 30, 2004, the municipality passed a resolution to establish the bus stand WAKF Board land on National Highway in Gidargal Village on the Mylam Road in Tindivanam.

Since two resolutions were passed, the Municipality sought a clarification from Commissioner of Municipal Administration, who, after considering the various GOs relating to preservation of environment on lakes, ponds and other water resources, discarded the lake bed proposal and accepted the one to set up the bus stand on WAKF land.

After paying a lease rent of Rs 60,000 per month and an advance amount of six lakh, the Tindivanam Municipality took possession of the land from WAKF Board.

Tenders were invited but not opened due to general elections.

While so, the Municipality arbitrarily with a sinister motive passed the resolution on June 13, 2006, seeking approval for the lake bed for the second time though the proposal had already been discarded by the Commissioner.

The inconsistency of the Municipality made the entire democratic process a mockery, the petitioner added.

UNI XR GM PK KN2113