Yagappa Nagar West v. The Principal Secretary to

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.] The residents of Yagappa Nagar West, through their President, have filed this Public Interest Litigation seeking a suitable direction to the Government to desilt and deepen the water bodies in and around the Madurai city limits. In this Writ Petition, six major water bodies have Page No. 2 of 6 been mentioned which require immediate attention for desilting and deepening, so as to store water for public use and also to increase the groundwater level.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that this Writ Petition was filed in the year 2018 in the interest of the general public, when there was an acute shortage of drinking water despite Madurai city being surrounded by six important water bodies, namely Vandiyur Tank, Sellur Tank, Madakulam Tank, Thenkal Tank, Koothiyarkundu Tank and Periyakulam Tank.

¶3The learned Government Pleader for the first to fourth respondents submits that when this Writ Petition is pending, the desilting project was undertaken in respect of Vandiyur Tank, Thenkal Tank, Koothiyarkundu Tank, Sellur Tank and Madakulam Tank; that after completion of the desilting and strengthening of the bund, all the tanks are as on date with full capacity due to copious rainfall; and that the details of the desilting project and the current status have been conveyed by the Assistant Executive Engineer, Periyar Vaigai Water Division, Madurai. Page No. 3 of 6

¶4Considering the submissions and the action taken regarding the strengthening of the tank bunds and desilting of the tanks, we are of the view that a one-time measure of desilting may not be adequate and that periodic desilting of all tanks should be made mandatory in the P.W.D. manuals. During the dry season, all these tanks must be desilted and the bunds must be strengthened.

¶5With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

[G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.]

03.12.2025 JEN Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-Speaking Order Copy To:

1.The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Water Supply Department,

2.The Principal Secretary. Public Works Department, Page No. 4 of 6

3.The Engineer in Chief, Water Resources Department, PWD Complex, Chennai - 600 005.

4.The District Collector, O/o.The Collectorate, Madurai - 625 020.

5.The Commissioner, Madurai Corporation, Anna Maligai, Madurai - 625 002. Page No. 5 of 6

DR. G. JAYACHANDRAN , J. AND

K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN, J. JEN

03.12.2025 Page No. 6 of 6

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.12.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN Yagappa Nagar West Residents Welfare Association through its President Thiru A.Irulandy, S/o.E.Angumuthu, D.No.1295-1, 1st Street, Yagappa Nagar, Madurai – 625 020. ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Principal Secretary to Municipal Administration & Water Supply, 2.The Principal Secretary to Public Works Department, 3.The Engineer in Chief, Water Resources Department, PWD Complex, Chennai - 600 005. 4.The District Collector, O/o.The Collectorate, Madurai - 625 020. Page No. 1 of 6 5.The Commissioner, Madurai Corporation, Anna Maligai, Madurai - 625 002. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition (Public Interest Litigation) filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to pass suitable orders to implement the deepening of all the tanks such as Vandiyur Tank, Sellur Tank, Madakulam Tank, Thenkal Tank, Koothiar Kundu Tank, Periyakulam Tank etc. situated in and around Madurai City Municipal Corporation limit to atleast 3 meters depth. For Petitioner : Mr.N.S.Ponnaiah For R1 to R4 : Mr.P.Thilakkumar Government Pleader For R5 : No appearance ******