Madras High Court issues orders on safety and illegal structures in Tamil Nadu

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to close all abandoned borewells and quarry pits in the Thoothukudi district within six weeks. This order follows a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the safety risks posed by uncovered wells and pits to the public and livestock. The court noted that the matter will be reviewed in six weeks for a compliance report.

In a separate ruling, the Madras High Court ordered the closure and demolition of 87 illegal resorts located within the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. The court found that these establishments operated without necessary planning permissions from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning or approval from the Hill Area Conservation Authority for land use conversion.