G.Venkatesh v. The Chairman And Managing Director,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09.10.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI G.Venkatesh
...Petitioner
Vs 1.The Chairman and Managing Director Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL) B-9, Qutab Institution Area Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110 016.
2.The Chief General Manager (TN Projects) Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL) No.2, First Lane, Bharathi Nagar North Usman Road, T.Nagar Chennai-600 017.
3.The Senior Deputy General Manager Karur 400 KV SS - Project In-Charge Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL) Coimbatore Main Road K.Paramathy Post, Karur Chennai-639 111.
...Respondents
PRAYER: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the respondent's Reply dated 30.07.2022 and quash the same, as the same is illegal and consequently direct the respondents to increase the height of the HT Transmission Lines 400 KV D/C Pugalur HVDC-Tiruvalam Transmission line
connecting location no.T151/5 to T152/0 measuring about 150 meters of length passing over the petitioner's land comprised in Patta no.2035 & 2089 in Ulagankathan Village, Kallakurichi Taluk and District, above 25 meters from the ground level as submitted by the respondent's in their Counter Affidavit filed in W.P No.12848/2020 (or) to make appropriate alteration of the Transmission Lines so that the petitioner can construct Modern Rice Mill in the property without any damage caused to the proposed construction of the Moden Rice Mill in the petitioner's land as sought for by the petitioner through his representation dated 14.05.2022.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Vedipappan For Respondents : No Appearance
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed, challenging the respondents' impugned reply dated 30.07.2022 and directing the respondents to increase the height of the HT Transmission Line by considering his representation dated 14.05.2022.
2. The case of the petitioner is that, in response to the drawal of a transmission line and erection of a tower on their land, the petitioner made a representation the first respondent. However, the same was was not considered. Consequently, the petitioner filed a writ petition before this Court in W.P. No.12848 of 2020, which was dismissed, recording the submissions made by respondents 1 to 3 that the overhead HT lines would be laid at a height of over
25 metres above the petitioner's land. On 20.02.2021, the petitioner had obtained Site Engineer Certificate which shows 79.5 cents was loused due to passing of HT lines and the Transmission lines were taken only 16 to 17 meters height from the land of this petitioner and suggested that there is no possibility for construction of Modern Rice Mill in the petitioner's property. Therefore, the petitioner sent a representation on 20.09.2021. As there was no reply, the petitioner again filed a writ petition in W.P No.28477 of 2022 and this Court, by an order dated 05.01.2022, directed the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation. Thereafter, the petitioner filed a contempt petition in Cont.P.No.1427 of 2022. Pursuant to the same, the respondents passed the impugned order dated 30.07.2022. Challenging the same, the present writ petition is filed with the above said prayer.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that as per the impugned order, the authority had clearly held that no tower was erected on the petitioner's land and only the transmission line traverses over it, for which the petitioner received compensation from the respondents. For enhanced compensation, the petitioner intends to approach the appropriate authority. However, the transmission line should have a minimum height of 25 metres, whereas the current height maintained is only between 16 and 17 metres, less
than 25 metres which lacks certainty. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate directions.
4. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, during the pendency of the writ petition, the petitioner received compensation for the damages towards diminution of land value. Aggrieved by quantum of compensation, the petitioner also preferred an appeal. Now, the grievance of the petitioner is that the respondents are not maintaining the height of 25 metres but are instead maintaining only 20 metres.
5. In view of the above, the petitioner is granted liberty to ventilate his grievance only before the appropriate authority in the manner known to law.
6. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. 09.10.2025 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking order uma To
1.The Chairman and Managing Director Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL) B-9, Qutab Insitution Area Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110 016.
2.The Chief General Manager (TN Projects) Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL) No.2, First Lane, Bharathi Nagar North Usman Road, T.Nagar Chennai-600 017.
3.The Senior Deputy General Manager Karur 400 KV SS - Project In-Charge Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCL) Coimbatore Main Road K.Paramathy Post, Karur Chennai-639 111.
M.DHANDAPANI,J uma
09.10.2025