HC moved against salt pans in Vembar river bed

The Madras High Court Bench here today ordered issue of a notice to Tamil Nadu government officials, including PWD and Home Secretaries and Tuticorin District Collector, among others over a plea seeking removal of all infrastructure for establishment of salt pans in the river bed of Vembar and restore it to its original breadth and water course.
The petitioner, a local resident, submitted that 500 acres of Vembar river bed in Tuticorin District had been encroached for commercial purpose for putting up salt pan.
Due to this, collection of rain water had been lost and natural water course diverted causing devastating and adverse effect to the public at large, he said.

Stagnation of saline water in the river percolated into the ground water and seventy villages in the area were directly and seriously affected, he said.
Three salt pans had been established in the river bed and mud road laid for 10 feet height. Besides, bore wells had been dug and transformers erected.
The local people, who were starving for water, were buying water for Rs.10 a pot. Despite several representations and agitation to remove the encroachments on the river bed, no action had been taken, he said seeking the court's direction.