The Ramco Cements Limited v. The Land Acquisition Officer / The Special District Revenue Officer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 04.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR W.P.(MD)No.12768 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.9221 and 16185 of 2025 The Ramco Cements Limited, Represented by its Manager Legal, An. Raajamani Ponnuu, Ramamandiram, Rajapalayam - 626 117.
... Petitioner Vs
1. The Land Acquisition Officer / The Special District Revenue Officer, Land Acquisition and Management Division, Highways Department, Tiruchirappalli.
2. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat,
3. The District Collector, District Collectorate, Jayankondam Road,
4. Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Thiru Vika Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600032.
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5. The Assistant Director, Collectorate, Ariyalur - 621704.
6. The Divisional Engineer, (H) C & M, K3 Trichy Salai, Old Union Office Near,
7. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Natural Resources, Fort St.George, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to quash the impugned notices dated 04.04.2025 issued under Sections 15(2) of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 bearing Na.Ka.No.A1/36/2022 issued by the 1st respondent special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquisition) to the extent it relates to the petitioner's lands situated in Sendurai and Maruvathur Village, Ariyalur District and Direct the 1st and 2nd respondents to consider and implement the alternate alignment of the proposed bypass road as suggested by the petitioner through its representation dated 09.10.2023 thereby protecting the notified mineral block and preserving mineable limestone reserves. For Petitioner : Mr.Satish Parasaran, Senior Counsel for Mr.P.J.Rishikesh For Respondents : Mr.Amalkhan, Addl. Advocate General assisted by Mrs.K.Malathi, 2/7
Addl. Govt. Pleader
O R D E R
This Writ Petition is filed challenging the notification issued by the first respondent under Section 15(2) of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001.
2. Heard the arguments of Mr.Satish Parasaran, learned Senior Counsel representing Mr.P.J.Rishikesh learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.Ajmalkhan, learned Additional Advocate General assisted by Mrs.K.Malathi, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.
3. This Writ Petition was filed mainly on the ground that the proposed acquisition will affect the mining activities in the subject matter of the acquisition and the same will result in loss to the exchequer.
4. After making his submissions on merits for some time, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that if the first respondent is directed to consider the objections submitted by the petitioner, after getting inputs from the 4th respondent, the petitioner 3/7
will be satisfied.
5. The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner is entitled to submit it's objections against 15(2) notification and all of it's objections will be considered in accordance with law. The learned Additional Advocate General also submitted that the first respondent is also willing to get remarks from the 4th respondent before taking a decision on the objections of the petitioner.
6. In view of the same, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, the petitioner is directed to submit his objection before the first respondent within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. On receipt of objections from the petitioner, the first respondent shall forward the same to the 4th respondent and take his inputs. The fourth respondent shall forward his inputs to the first respondent within a further period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of communication from the first respondent. The first respondent shall consider the objection of the petitioner as well as the inputs forwarded by the fourth respondent and take final decision in accordance with law.
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7. With these directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
04.08.2025 vsm Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No To
1. The Land Acquisition Officer / The Special District Revenue Officer, Land Acquisition and Management Division, Highways Department, Tiruchirappalli.
2. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu, Highways and Minor Ports Department, Fort St.George, Secretariat,
3. The District Collector, District Collectorate, Jayankondam Road,
4. Commissioner of Geology and Mining, Thiru Vika Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600032.
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5. The Assistant Director, Collectorate, Ariyalur - 621704.
S.SOUNTHAR, J.
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6. The Divisional Engineer, (H) C & M, K3 Trichy Salai, Old Union Office Near,
7. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Natural Resources, Fort St.George, W.P (MD) No.12768 of 2025 6/7
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