HC stays acquisition of temple land for Metro Rail project

Chennai, Feb 22 (PTI) The Madras High Court today stayedfor a week the acquisition of a temple land at a primelocation for construction of overbridge by Chennai Metro Railin the city.

Sri Vengeeswarar Temple Devasthanam, located atVadapalani, represented by its hereditary trustee, G PremAnand sought a stay on further proceedings following animpugned notification by Highways Department which stated thetemple land had been selected for construction of overbridge.

The writ petition also sought a stay on the subsequent publicnotices issued by the special Deputy Collector, LandAcquisition.

In the petition, Anand said a major portion of the westernside of the temple had already been acquired by the StateGovernment for the purpose of formation of 100 feet road in1986. However, the temple is yet to receive propercompensation for the aquiring of its property, the petitionercontended.

As the temple was still agitating before the court of lawfor proper compensation for the previous acquisition of itsproperty, its land could not be used for laying the ChennaiMetro Rail project, he said.

The petitioner said the temple has a history of more than450 years and numerous devotees all over the world.

He alleged in the petition that, "While issuing theimpugned notice the authorities have not taken an initiativeto find any alternative to the proposal and found it veryconvenient to disturb the temple property and they did nottouch the properties of others".

When the matter came up today before Justice R Sudhakar,he granted a one week stay to acquire the lands of thepetitioner by the authority.

The matter was posted on March 1 for hearing.