Shridisai Construction v. The Commissioner,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 25.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE N.MALA
1. Shridisai Construction Proprietor late. Viswanathan rep.by his wife Tmt.Chithra No.5, South Cemetery road, Old Washermenpet, Chennai 600 021.
2. Valli Saravana Construction rep. by its partner P.S.K.Saravanan No.11, Corporation Colony, 4th street, Tondaiarpet, Chennai 600 081.
3. J.M.Traders rep.by its Partner A.Jayalakshmi Old No.11, New No.18, Ganthi Avenue, Purasawalkam, Chennai - 600 084.
4. P.Balaji
5. K.Sathishkumar 1/9
6. Dhivya Constructions rep.by its Proprietor Tmt.K.Lakshmi Rajyam, No.5/5, Chigirintha Palayam 1st street, Korukkupet, Chennai 600 021.
7. G.K.Builders rep.by its Proprietor Pandian, No.23/1, Tondiar Nagar main street, Tondiarpet, Chennai 600 081.
... Petitioners Vs
1. The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai 600 003.
2. The Deputy Commissioner (works) Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai 600 003.
3. The Regional Deputy Commissioner (North) Greater Chennai Corporation, No.61, Basin Bridge Road, Royapuram, Chennai 600 021.
4. The Superintending Engineer, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.61, Basin Bridge Road, 2/9
Royapuram, Chennai 600 021.
5. The Assistant Commissioner Zone-4, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.266, T.H.Road, Chennai 600 021.
6. The Executive Engineer Zone-4, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.266, T.H.Road, Chennai 600 021.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners dated 24.10.2024 and 26.06.2025 to make the payment with interest for the work (2020-2021 installation of barricade (covid-19 Pandemic) at ward nos.34 to 48 in the Zone 4) executed by the petitioners to prevent the Covid spread based on the proceedings of the 1st respondent in Commr.P.C.No.19/2024 dated 26.02.2024.
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For Petitioners : Mr.V.Elangovan For Respondents : Mr.E.C.Ramesh Standing Counsel
O R D E R
The writ petition is filed for a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners dated 24.10.2024 and 26.06.2025 to make the payment with interest for the work (2020-2021 installation of barricade (covid-19 Pandemic) at ward nos.34 to 48 in the Zone 4) executed by the petitioners to prevent the Covid spread based on the proceedings of the 1st respondent in Commr.P.C.No.19/2024 dated 26.02.2024.
2. With the consent of both side counsels the main writ petition is taken up for final disposal.
3. The petitioners are the registered contractors under the respondent Corporation and have executed several works for the past 15 4/9
years successfully without any adverse records. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the respondents allotted the work of putting up barricades in the containment areas of Ward Nos.34 to 48 in the Zone-4. Since the above work involved urgent containment of the covid virus which was spreading virulently, no tender notification was issued by the respondents for putting up barricades in the containment area. Considering the urgency of the work, since the petitioners were regular contractors of Zone - 4, the respondents allotted the work of installation of barricades (wards 34-48) to the petitioners.
4. The petitioners as per the work allotment order successfully executed the work in time without any default. After successful execution of the work, the respondents inspected the sites and confirmed the quality and stability of the work. The respondents entered the particulars of execution of work in the M-Book. However, no payment was made to the petitioners. The petitioners made several representations to the respondents requesting them to settle the bill amounts. Based on the above representations, the 1st respondent in proceedings in 5/9
Commr.P.C.No.19/2024 dated 26.02.2024, recommended to the subordinate authorities to take steps to disburse the bill amounts. Since despite the 1st respondent aforesaid communication, no payments were made by the respondents, the petitioners filed the above writ petition for the aforesaid relief.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the limited relief sought for in the writ petition, this Court is inclined to issue directions to the 4th & 5th respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 24.10.2024 and 26.06.2025. Accordingly, this Court directs the 4th & 5th respondents, to consider the petitioners representations dated 24.10.2024 and 26.06.2025 in the light of the recommendation made by the 1st respondent dated 26.02.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date 6/9
of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
25.08.2025 dpq (1⁄2) Index: Yes/No Speaking order / Non speaking order 7/9
To
1. The Commissioner Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai 600 003.
2. The Deputy Commissioner (works) Greater Chennai Corporation, Ripon Buildings, Chennai 600 003.
3. The Regional Deputy Commissioner (North) Greater Chennai Corporation, No.61, Basin Bridge Road, Royapuram, Chennai 600 021.
4. The Superintending Engineer, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.61, Basin Bridge Road, Royapuram, Chennai 600 021.
5. The Assistant Commissioner Zone-4, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.266, T.H.Road, Chennai 600 021.
6. The Executive Engineer Zone-4, Greater Chennai Corporation, No.266, T.H.Road, Chennai 600 021.
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N. MALA, J.
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