R.Sudhakar v. The Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 20.03.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.K.R.SHRIRAM, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ R.Sudhakar .. Petitioner -vs1. The Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The District Collector, Office of the Collectorate, Cuddalore District.
3. The Block Development Officer, Office of the Block Development Officer, Nallur Taluk, Cuddalore District.
4. The Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai 600 015.
(R-4 impleaded as per order dt.06.03.2025 in WP.) .. Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for
issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents being the competent authorities to consider and decide the representation of the petitioner dated 10.09.2022 in accordance with law and construct a over bridge from North to South on Manimuthar River at Memathur Village, Nallur Union, Veppur Taluk, Cuddalore District. For Petitioner :
Mr.A.Kumar for Mr.S.Rajesh For Respondents :
Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader Assisted by Mr.M.Habeeb Rahman, Govt. Advocate.
* * * * *
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Pursuant to the order dated 06.03.2025, two affidavits have been filed, one by Sibi Adhithya Senthilkumar, IAS., affirmed on 13.03.2025 as second respondent and one P.Ponniah IAS., affirmed on 13.03.2025 as fourth respondent. Both have acknowledged the fact that during monsoon, there will be water flow in the Manimuthar river and the people of Memathur including school-going children face difficulties. Both also have stated that construction of a bridge will benefit Memathur village directly,
which has a population of about 534 and also Tharisu and Puthu Colony habitations with a total population of 1468. They also acknowledged that the bridge may also benefit the people of M.Pudur Village Panchayat of Virudhachalam Panchayat Union. In short, both acknowledge that a bridge would be required and it will be beneficial to lot of people. The constraint appears to be budget and once the funds are sanctioned from the State Government under NABARD-RIDF or any other funding source, construction of the bridge at Memuthur village will be considered.
2. Sri.Prabakar states, in the meanwhile, the Collector has given instructions to Regional Transport Officer, Cuddalore to ply bus service to Memuthur village. Mr.Prabakar states and tenders a photograph, which is taken on record and marked as 'X' for identification that bus service has already been started and it will be continued until the bridge is constructed.
3. Sri.Kumar for petitioner states that in view of the affidavits filed by respondent Nos.2 and 4 and the statement made by Mr.Prabakar, petitioner would follow up with respondent Nos.2 and 4 for construction of the bridge.
Petition is, accordingly, disposed of. Liberty to apply in case no positive action is taken in the next four months. There shall be no order as to costs.
(K.R.SHRIRAM, CJ.) (MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.) 20.03.2025 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No sra
To
1. The Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The District Collector, Office of the Collectorate, Cuddalore District.
3. The Block Development Officer, Office of the Block Development Officer, Nallur Taluk, Cuddalore District.
4. The Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai 600 015.
The Hon'ble Chief Justice and Mohammed Shaffiq, J.
(sra) 20.03.2025