By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court sought response from the State and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to the authorities to ensure proper maintenance of Kappalur-Uthangudi ring road and prohibit the conduct of events in the vicinity of the ring road.
A Division Bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan was hearing the petition filed by advocate A. R. Jeyarhuthran of Tirunelveli district. The petitioner said the ring road functioned as a lifeline for passenger traffic, trade and commercial movement.
In recent times, various political parties have been conducting conferences in the venues abutting the ring road. Such events have invariably resulted in severe traffic congestion, causing immense hardship to the public. The commuters are subjected to inordinate delays and unnecessary stress during their travel, thereby defeating the very objective for which toll was collected, which is, to ensure smooth, uninterrupted, and hassle-free travel, he said.
He sought a direction to the authorities to ensure proper maintenance of the ring road and also prohibit the conduct of political rallies, religious congregations, processions, cultural events, as well as construction of marriage halls, community halls, commercial complexes, malls, or any other similar establishments.
