1 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.11.2011 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.N.BASHA and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.VENUGOPAL Writ Petition (MD) No.12795 of 2011 N.Kailasam ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Assistant Divisional Engineer, Highways Department, Lalgudi, Trichy District.' 2.The Executive Officer, Panchayat Board, Manachanallur, Trichy District. ... Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus, to direct the respondents to widening the roads 1)L.F. Road from Panguni river bridge to 3 road junction in Manachanallur; 2) Thuraiyur Road from 3 road junction to Thasildar's Office; 3)Samayapuram Road from Manachanallur upto E.B. Office; and 4)Road leading to Thirupanjeeli upto registrar's Office, by 20 feet on either side of the Road. For petitioner .. Mr.N.Kailasam (Party-in-person) For respondents .. Mr.K.Mahendran, Special Government Pleader ORDER (Order of the Court was made by K.N.BASHA, J) The petitioner, who is a practising advocate and native of Manachanallur village, has come forward with this petition as a public interest litigation, seeking for the relief of a direction to the respondents to widen the roads 1)L.F. Road from Panguni river bridge to 3 road junction in Manachanallur; 2) Thuraiyur Road from 3 road junction to Thasildar's Office; 3)Samayapuram Road from Manachanallur upto E.B. Office; and 4)Road leading to Thirupanjeeli upto registrar's Office, by 20 feet on either side of the Road. 2.The petitioner appeared as a party-in-person and submitted that the existing roads have been laid 70 years back and periodically it was repaired, but the said roads were not at all widened all along. It is submitted that there are heavy vehicular traffics in the said roads, in view of the lot of Rice Mills, situated in and around the said village. It is further contended that several representations made, but all efforts not resulted in any effective steps taken by the respondents. The petitioner would submit that at last, a written representation was also made to the respondents on 02.11.2011 and the same was acknowledged by the respondent on 04.11.2011 and inspite of the same, no action has been taken and as such, the petitioner has been constrained to approach https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2 this Court with the aforesaid prayer. 3.Heard Mr.K.Mahendran, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents on the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner. 4.At the outset, it is to be stated that in and around Manachanallur village, lot of rice mills are situated and it goes without saying that there should be corresponding vehicular traffics, more particularly for the transport of paddy and rice bags to different parts of the State. It is pointed out by the party-in-person that inspite of such vehicular traffics, roads have not been widened for a long period. It is seen that the petitioner has filed this petition as a public interest litigation, considering the interest of the public at large. It is pertinent to note that now-a-days, Highways Department is taking necessary steps for widening the roads in all parts of the State and such being the position, there is no reason to ignore the roads mentioned by the petitioner, as per his prayer. In view of the same, we are constrained to direct the respondents herein to take immediate steps on the basis of the representation of the petitioner, dated 02.11.2011, subject to the acquisition of certain portions of the lands, as per the land acquisition proceedings. It is made clear that the respondents shall complete the above said exercise of taking steps within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5.The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar (Records) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To: 1.The Assistant Divisional Engineer, Highways Department, Lalgudi, Trichy District.' 2.The Executive Officer, Panchayat Board, Manachanallur, Trichy District. +1cc to Special Government Pleader, SR.No.42049 +1cc to Mr.N.Kalisam, Party in person in SR.No.41764 gcg GH : 12.12.2011 : 2p/5c Order in W.P.(MD)No.12795 of 2011 29.11.2011 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/