B.Ramkumar Adityan v. Additional Chief Secretary
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 30.07.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.6476 of 2019 B.Ramkumar Adityan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
3.The Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
4.The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George, Chennai 600 009.
1/7
5.The Engineer in Chief and Chief Engineer, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
6.The Managing Director, State Industries Promotion Corporation, No.19, Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.
7.The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, No.31, Karamaraj Salai, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
8.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Korampallam, Thoothukudi-628 101.
9.The Executive Engineer, Tamirabarani Irrigation System Division, Public Works Department, (Behind SP Office) Palayamkottai-627 002.
10.The Project Officer, State Industries Promotion Corporation, SIPCOT Complex, Thoothukudi-628 002.
11.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamirabarani Irrigation System Sub Division, Srivaikuntam-628 601.
12.The Commissioner, Thoothukudi City Corporation, Thoothukudi-628 002.
2/7
13.The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration, Fort St.George, Chennai.
14.A.C.Kamaraj Chairman, NAWAD TECH, H.O.577, 1st Floor, 3rd Cross Street, K.K.Nagar (West), Madurai-625 020.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents No.1,2,3,8,9 and 10 to construct a New Tank at Thoothukudi Taluk with three times capacity of present water requirement of industries situated in Thoothukudi Block, Ottapidaram Block and Thoothukudi Corporation Limit by making special arrangements to divert surplus water into proposed new Tank at Thoothukudi Taluk from the Srivaikuntam Anicut before discharged into sea in the Course of Tamirabarani River, within stipulated time.
For Petitioner :Mr.Karthick Subramanian For Respondents :Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader for R1 to R6, R8, R9 & R11 : Mr.N.Anandakumar for R12 : Mr.P.Vadivel for R10 3/7
ORDER
Heard both sides.
2. The petitioner is a practicing lawyer. He is a resident of Tiruchendur. According to him, on account of diversion of the water for industrial use, the position in Tiruchendur has become quite precarious. Tiruchendur has now been classified as semi critical zone. According to him, the situation can be dealt with by constructing a new tank at Thoothukudi Taluk. In this regard, the petitioner has already given a representation dated 01.10.2018.
3. The stand of the petitioner is that if a new tank as suggested by him is constructed, the flow of water into the sea during monsoon can be prevented.
4. The learned Special Government Pleader submitted that Tamirabarani river flows to an extent of 44 kilometre in Thoothukudi District between Marudhur Anicut and Mukkani. As many as 7 check dams have already been constructed. These are the issues in which the courts lack expertise. It is only the Government that can take a call. We permit the 4/7
petitioner herein to file a fresh representation to the second respondent. The second respondent will consider the same and pass a speaking order within a period of five months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. We have not gone into the merits of the matter. It is for the second respondent to take into account all the factors projected by the petitioner and take decision depending on the feasibility.
5. The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.] 30.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No rmi To 1.The Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
5/7
3.The Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
4.The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George, Chennai 600 009.
5.The Engineer in Chief and Chief Engineer, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
6.The Managing Director, State Industries Promotion Corporation, No.19, Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.
7.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Korampallam, Thoothukudi-628 101.
8.The Executive Engineer, Tamirabarani Irrigation System Division, Public Works Department, (Behind SP Office), Palayamkottai-627 002.
9.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamirabarani Irrigation System Sub Division, Srivaikuntam-628 601.
6/7
G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J and B.PUGALENDHI, J.
rmi W.P(MD)No.6476 of 2019 30.07.2025 7/7