: Madras High Court today closed a contempt petition against Chennai Corporation Commissioner and the Collector against non-removal of encroachments on an arterial road after recording their affidavits tendering an unconditional apology, but with a warning that non-complaince 'will be under pain of revival of contempt proceedings."
The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam stated this when a petition by one L T William Moses came up for hearing and after recording assurance by the Corporation that any remaining gravel at the site would be removed in 10 days from today and the work of laying the road will be completed within a month.
The petitoner had sought a direction to these officials to nitiate proceedings to widen Paper mills road from Perambur Church till Retteri Junction on both sides for smooth plying of traffic within a time frame to be stipulated by the Court and file a report.
The Court on Nov 7 2012 directed the Corporation to remove encroachments with the help of police and also to take steps to widen the road, including forwarding of proposal to the Government
Moses filed a contempt petition stating that government had not taken any action till Jan 20 2014 on the court's orders. He said he has also sent a letter to know the status of the work carried out on the basis of the HC order and got reply that they are in process of doing a survey and they would proceed further once that was over
When the contempt petition came up before the First Bench today, counters were filed by the Collector and Commissioner, stating that Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority listed 14 roads for widening in the second master plan, among which one was Paper Mills Road. As such land acquisiton consultant has been appointed and a survey was completed, they said
Sanction was also got from the Corporation Council to widen the road and separate action taken to remove encroachments in coordination with revenue officials who have been earmarked road width.
The Chennai Collector said a special team was formed for the survey and measuring the land due for acquisition and Land Plan Schedule proceedings were also initiated.Stating that all gravel and other material obstructing the road will be removed they tendered an unconditional apology to the Court.
After going through the counter affidavits, the bench closed the contempt petition, warning the authorities that "We make it clear, that non-compliance will be under the pain of revival of contempt proceedings.
