Court stops work on establishing medical college at Villupuram

VILLUPURAM: Special Correspondent

Authorities, who are in the process of establishing a Government Medical College at Villupuram, were on Tuesday restrained by the Madras High Court from dumping earth debris in the Mundiyambakkam lake area in Villupuram.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice P. Jyothimani gave the interim direction on a public interest litigation petition filed by eight persons who said that if the lake was levelled for constructing buildings it would adversely affect hundreds of farmers in the area. Adjourning the matter to August 16 for further proceedings, the Bench said, “in the mean time, until further orders, the respondents are directed not to dump any earth debris in the lake area or make any alteration at the site.”

The petitioners, describing the lake as a lifeline for farmers, said authorities had already started digging the soil on the 42-acre Mundiyambakkam lake bed for the proposed construction activities. They said that in spite of the mounting public opposition to such constructions, officials concerned did not heed the demands and requests of the people. Foundation stone for the project was laid on May 19 this year.

“The decision of the respondents to construct the medical college in the lake is in violation of Doctrine of Public Trust, as the State being the trustee of the natural resources and public property it should maintain the traditional usage particular to that form of resources,” the petition said.