G.Uma v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 25-07-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE N.MALA G.Uma, W/o.R.Velraj, No.174/2, Mannarsamy Koil Street, Royapuram, Chennai-600 013.
Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai-600 003.
2.The Zonal Officer, Zone-5, No.105, Basin Bridge, Royapuram, Chennai-600 079.
Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a direction in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to remove the Garbage Bin placed in the entry point of the Pumping Station Road, Royapuram Opposite to the Petitioner's house Door No.174/ 2, Mannarsamy Koil Street, Royapuram, Chennai-600 013, abutting the Electricity Board Transformer by shrinking the Road width and place the same few metres away in the same Road where the Road is having maximum width in view of the Petitioner's Representation dated 26.06.2024 and pass such further orders.
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For Petitioner(s):
Mr.J.Ashok For Respondent(s):
Mr.S.Gopinathan, Standing Counsel
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to remove the Garbage Bin placed at the entry point of the Pumping Station Road, Royapuram opposite to the Petitioner's house Door No.174/ 2, Mannarsamy Koil Street, Royapuram, Chennai-600 013, abutting the Electricity Board Transformer by shrinking the Road width and placing the same few metres away in the same Road where the Road has maximum width in view of the Petitioner's Representation dated 26.06.2024.
2. The petitioner is a resident of Door No. 174/2, Mannarsamy Koil Street, Royapuram, Chennai - 600 013, residing at the entry point of Pumping Station Road. A garbage bin has been placed by the authorities directly opposite her residence, abutting an already existing Electricity Board Transformer. This placement has significantly shrunk the road width, reducing the usable space for vehicular and pedestrian movement to just about 7 feet. The area also houses two hospitals nearby, and the bin frequently overflows, causing health and 2/6
hygiene issues. Despite the petitioner's representation dated 26.06.2024, requesting relocation of the bin to a wider section of the road, the authorities have not taken any action.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the placement of the garbage bin right outside her house, along with the transformer, causes obstruction, congestion, and health hazards due to foul odour and unhygienic conditions. He submits that it affects her family's ability to safely exit the house and has even delayed urgent medical travel. The situation causes mental agony, violates her right to life under Article 21, and amounts to discrimination under Article 14 as others in the locality do not suffer similarly. He submits that doorto-door waste collection is prevailing policy and the bin's placement is unnecessary and arbitrary. Having exhausted all remedies, the petitioner seeks a writ of mandamus.
4. Learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents submits that the representation of the petitioner dated 26.06.2024 would be considered on merits, in accordance with law within a time frame stipulated by this Court.
5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 3/6
6. Without going into the merits of the case, the 2 nd respondent is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 26.06.2024 after conducting a detailed enquiry by giving due notice to the petitioner, affording an opportunity of personal hearing, taking into consideration all the relevant documents submitted by the petitioner in regard to the subject matter property and pass appropriate orders on merits, in accordance with law, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
In the result, the writ petition stands disposed of with the above observations and direction. No costs.
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To 1.The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai-600 003.
2.The Zonal Officer, Zone-5, No.105, Basin Bridge, Royapuram, Chennai-600 079.
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N.MALA J.
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