The Hindu 25.03.2017
Restore Adyar, Cooum rivers to past glory: HC
Myriad benefits:The court said the restoration of the rivers will
ensure unpolluted air and an environment free of health hazards.
Calls for setting up of high-power panel, dedicated dept.
The First Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday tooksuo
motucognisance of the pollution in Adyar and Cooum rivers and directed
the State government to appoint a high-power committee and a dedicated
department to restore the rivers to their “past glory”.
“The
rivers should be cleaned of the sewage and drainage let into them, which
is affecting both the ecology of the river and the sea. Sewage
treatment plants have to be established at a distance of 20 to 25 km
from the city in an area of 50 to 100 acre. The treated water should be
utilised for agricultural purposes,” the First Bench of Acting Chief
Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh and Justice R.M.T. Teekaa Raman said.
The
Bench noted that restoration of the rivers to their past glory was
important so that the public could use them for boating and other
recreational purposes, and residents of adjoining localities would get
unpolluted air and an environment free of health hazards.
Suggesting
that the State government approach the Central government for financial
assistance, the Bench posted the plea to June 30 for the government to
file its response.
Parking space in hotels
The
First Bench initiated the suo motu proceeding while hearing a Public
Interest Litigation (PIL) petition moved by S. Ragu of Vyasarpadi
seeking closure of hotels and restaurants till they provide parking
space, open space and fire safety facilities within their premises.
On
February 11, the First Bench headed by the then Chief Justice S.K. Kaul
directed the authorities to shut down eateries that did not have
adequate parking space.
When the PIL came up for hearing before
the present Bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice, the Chennai Hotels
Association, which has moved an impleading petition, contended that
several of the restaurants/eateries in the city were established several
decades ago with proper trade licences.
Calling upon them to
suddenly provide car parking facilities in crowded areas of the city is
tantamount to directing their closure as it would be impossible for
these restaurant owners to provide vacant premises near their facilities
purely for car parking.
Recording the
submissions, the Bench directed the Chennai Corporation to file a
counter affidavit to the submissions and posted the PIL to April 13 for
further hearing.