Trichy NH work to resume as HC stays govt order
A
state government order restraining the National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI) from continuing the 374-crore Trichy-Karaikudi national
highway project has been stayed by the Madras high court.
The project, which would link six national highway stretches in the region, involves construction of a two-lane path with paved shoulders on the Trichy-Karaikudi section of NH-210. The 84km stretch includes 25km of the Trichy Bypass on NH-67. Launched in 2010, the project was to be completed by May 14, 2013.
The NHAI had filed the petition to quash the public works department's orders refusing no-objection certificate for laying roads in Kanadukathan tank, Kovilur Konery tank, Sankarapuram tank, Senjainattar tank and in Kulathur Periyakulam, Keeranur Periyakulam, Thirumayam Thamarai Kanmoi, Thirumayam Vengai Kanmoi, Kundaru River and Vallaru River in Sivaganga district. It wanted the court to restrain the PWD from interfering with the execution of work on the Trichy-Karaikudi section (NH 210) and Trichy Bypass road ( NH 67).
When the petition was taken up on January 28, a special government pleader who had taken notice already, requested Justice K Venkataraman to take up the matter later as advocate general was not present in the court. After a while, when it was taken up the government pleader again sought some more time. Pointing out that he had already made the NHAI's senior counsel P Wilson to wait for more than 90 minutes, Justice Venkataraman said he was not inclined to put off the matter again and again.
"Since there is no representation on behalf of the state authorities objecting to grant of interim injunction, except by saying that advocate general has to appear in this matter, I am not inclined to show any more indulgence. I have gone through the affidavits in support of the petitions. I am satisfied that there exists a prime facie case in favour of the petitioners. Hence, there shall be an order of interim injunction for two weeks," the judge said and posted the matter after two weeks for filing counters, if any, by the authorities concerned.
The project, which would link six national highway stretches in the region, involves construction of a two-lane path with paved shoulders on the Trichy-Karaikudi section of NH-210. The 84km stretch includes 25km of the Trichy Bypass on NH-67. Launched in 2010, the project was to be completed by May 14, 2013.
The NHAI had filed the petition to quash the public works department's orders refusing no-objection certificate for laying roads in Kanadukathan tank, Kovilur Konery tank, Sankarapuram tank, Senjainattar tank and in Kulathur Periyakulam, Keeranur Periyakulam, Thirumayam Thamarai Kanmoi, Thirumayam Vengai Kanmoi, Kundaru River and Vallaru River in Sivaganga district. It wanted the court to restrain the PWD from interfering with the execution of work on the Trichy-Karaikudi section (NH 210) and Trichy Bypass road ( NH 67).
When the petition was taken up on January 28, a special government pleader who had taken notice already, requested Justice K Venkataraman to take up the matter later as advocate general was not present in the court. After a while, when it was taken up the government pleader again sought some more time. Pointing out that he had already made the NHAI's senior counsel P Wilson to wait for more than 90 minutes, Justice Venkataraman said he was not inclined to put off the matter again and again.
"Since there is no representation on behalf of the state authorities objecting to grant of interim injunction, except by saying that advocate general has to appear in this matter, I am not inclined to show any more indulgence. I have gone through the affidavits in support of the petitions. I am satisfied that there exists a prime facie case in favour of the petitioners. Hence, there shall be an order of interim injunction for two weeks," the judge said and posted the matter after two weeks for filing counters, if any, by the authorities concerned.
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