R.N.Chellapandiyan v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.04.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN R.N.Chellapandiyan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Madurai.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Colonel John Penny Cuick Complex, Thallakulam, Madurai.
3.The Superintending Engineer, Highways Department, Madurai Region, Alagarkovil Road, Madurai - 625 002.
... Respondents 1/6
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to put a safety walls and electricity lights on either side of the Melakkal Bridge, Melakal to Sholavandan Road, Madurai District based on the petitioner's representation dated 18.12.2025 within a stipulated time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Suresh For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the respondents to construct safety walls on either side of the Melakkal Bridge, situated on the Melakkal-Sholavandan Road, Madurai District, and to provide street lighting facilities, based on the petitioner's representation dated 18.12.2025.
2/6
2.The petitioner states that a check dam has been constructed across the Vaigai River with the objective of improving groundwater levels, which in turn supports wells supplying drinking water to the Madurai Corporation. Due to this, the river remains filled with water on both sides of the bridge.
3.It is submitted that a large number of vehicles, including school vans transporting children, use the Melakkal Bridge on a daily basis. However, the bridge allegedly lacks essential safety features such as protective side walls or railings. Further, there is no provision for street lighting on the bridge, resulting in poor visibility during night hours. 4.The petitioner contends that, due to the absence of such safety measures, several accidents have occurred, particularly involving twowheeler riders who have fallen from the bridge owing to low visibility. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 18.12.2025 to the 3/6
respondents, seeking installation of safety walls and street lights on the Melakkal Bridge to prevent accidents. Since no action has been taken on the said representation, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present Writ Petition seeking appropriate directions. 5.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that, insofar as the pillars are concerned, the bridge is a submersible bridge with only two pillars, and whenever any damage occurs, the same is restored. With regard to street lighting, it is submitted that the concerned local body has to take appropriate action. 6.In view of the above, the first respondent, namely the District Collector, is directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 18.12.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law and to instruct the appropriate local body to take necessary action for installation of street lights. Such exercise shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 4/6
7.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 10.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps To 1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Madurai.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Colonel John Penny Cuick Complex, Thallakulam, Madurai.
3.The Superintending Engineer, Highways Department, Madurai Region, Alagarkovil Road, Madurai - 625 002.
5/6
N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
ps DATED : 10.04.2026 6/6