M.Saravanan v. The State Of Tamilnadu
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.04.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.M.P(MD)No.20762 of 2019 M.Saravanan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Principal Secretary, Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Highways and Minor Ports, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3.The District Collector, Collectorate Building, Madurai, Madurai District - 625 020.
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4.The Madurai Corporation, Represented by its Commissioner, Aringhar Anna Maligai, Madurai-625 002.
5.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai.
6.The Chief Engineer, Highways Department, Department of State Highways, Chennai.
... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to remove arches located in the middle of the road opposite to Mattuthavani Bus Stand in Madurai Melur Road in Therkuvasal to Airport road near Villapuram, in Madurai to Theni road near Virattipathu within the jurisdiction of Madurai Corporation and ensure safety of the roads and to direct the respondents NO.1 and 2 not to permit construction of any other arches in public roads within the state of Tamilnadu. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Rajasekar for M/s.T.Lajapathi Roy For Respondents : Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R1 to R3) Special Government Pleader 2/8
: Mr.K.Sivabalan (R4) : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi (R5) Government Advocate
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 remove arches located in the middle of the road opposite to Mattuthavani Bus Stand in Madurai Melur Road in Therkuvasal to Airport road near Villapuram, in Madurai to Theni road near Virattipathu within the jurisdiction of Madurai Corporation and ensure safety of the roads and to direct the respondents NO.1 and 2 not to permit construction of any other arches in public roads within the state of Tamilnadu.
2.The petitioner submits that vehicular traffic in Madurai has increased manifold over the past fifteen years owing to the establishment and full-fledged functioning of major commercial and public infrastructures, 3/8
including markets, bus stands, industrial estates, and the High Court. It is contended that the stretch opposite the Mattuthavani Bus Stand experiences severe congestion.
3.The primary grievance of the petitioner is that a concrete arch situated opposite the Mattuthavani Bus Stand, erected during the 1981 World Tamil Conference, occupies substantial road space (approximately 20 feet) and constitutes a major cause for traffic bottlenecks, public nuisance, and safety hazards. The petitioner further submits that similar arches located at Therkuvasal, Airport Road near Villapuram and Madurai and Theni Road near Virattipathu also contribute to road narrowing and traffic congestion within the Corporation limits.
4.It is the petitioner's case that the said arches, originally constructed to demarcate entry points to the city, have outlived their purpose and are now obsolete. Their presence, particularly at high-traffic junctions, creates artificial bottlenecks, impedes vehicular movement, and violates road 4/8
safety norms prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress. It is further contended that unauthorized parking around these arches aggravates congestion.
5.In such circumstances, the petitioner seeks appropriate directions for the removal of the said arches to ensure free flow of traffic and compliance with road safety standards.
6.When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 and the learned counsel appearing for the fourth respondent/Corporation submitted that pursuant to the direction issued by this Court in W.P(MD)No.21007 of 2024, dated 23.09.2024 [S.Jainab Beevi Vs. The Commissioner and others], the arch of Mattuthavani has been removed and for removal of the arch in K.K.Nagar, tender has already been floated and the same will be removed after elections are over.
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7.In such view of the matter, the fourth respondent/Corporation is directed to remove the arch in K.K.Nagar and further the official respondents are directed to remove other arches which is causing hindrance to the free flow of traffic. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 8.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. [N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 02.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 6/8
To 1.The Principal Secretary, Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Highways and Minor Ports, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
3.The District Collector, Collectorate Building, Madurai, Madurai District - 625 020.
4.The Madurai Corporation, Represented by its Commissioner, Aringhar Anna Maligai, Madurai-625 002.
5.The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai.
6.The Chief Engineer, Highways Department, Department of State Highways, Chennai.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 02.04.2026 8/8