Shut down commercial activities on banks of Vandiyur lake: HC

Madurai: Madras high court has directed Madurai corporation to forthwith close down commercial activities that were entrusted to various private people in the 14 buildings constructed on the banks of the Vandiyur lake in Madurai.The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by N Manikandan seeking a direction to the Madurai corporation authorities to close the food stalls and to restrain the visitors from bringing plastic materials into the Vandiyur park in KK Nagar. The petitioner also sought a direction to restrain Madurai corporation from installing amusement equipment such as giant wheel, etc, inside the park, and from collecting entry fee from the visitors.A division bench of justice R Suresh Kumar and justice P Vadamalai observed that because of the commercial activities being permitted, large numbers of littering is taking place where the plastics are being used and thrown indiscriminately, which also was suggested by various photographs filed by the petitioner. Therefore, it has become necessary to restrain the corporation from venturing into any commercial activities in the Vandiyur lake or its banks or its vicinity or park, as that would hamper the very atmosphere of the lake and also it will hamper the protection of the waterbody.The judges directed the corporation to forthwith close down the commercial activities as the lake shall be used only for specific purpose of boating and other activities that are permissible within the rules. The judges also restrained the corporation from erecting or putting up any further amusement equipment without the specific leave of the court.The judges restrained the corporation from collecting any fee from the visitors for walking, sitting in the park and children playing in the limited area. The park should be open only from 6am to 10am and from 3pm to 8pm. During this period, visitors should be allowed into the park and on the banks of the lake. No one should be permitted to enter during the remaining period. For the purpose of development of the park, the existing trees or vegetation shall not be cut off any more. The corporation shall comply with the interim orders and file a report before the court in a month, the judges directed.