Petition seeks district status for Tiruppathur

The Madras High Court has directed the State revenue secretary to consider a plea for carving out a new district from Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts with headquarters at Tiruppathur.

In his public interest writ petition, Dr VRS Sampath of Royapettah, prayed for a direction to the government to consider his representation dated August 6 this year for creation of a new revenue district in the name of Tiruppathur by carving out Chengam from Thiruvannamalai district and Tiruppathur and Vaniyambadi and Gudiyatham from Vellore district, for effective administration.

“This court cannot issue a mandamus,” said the first bench consisting of Chief Justice MY Eqbal and Justice TS Sivagnanam, on Wednesday.

It was absolutely within the domain of the government to look into the matter. Moreover, it was a policy decision of the government.

“However, it goes without saying that the representation, if any filed by the petitioner, shall be considered by the Revenue secretary in accordance with law,” the judges said.

Complete Widening of Road in Needamangalam

The Madras High Court has directed the State Highways Department to complete the widening of a road from Needamangalam Railway Station to Ottakudi Palangalathur in Tiruvarur District as quickly as possible, preferably within six months.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice MY Eqbal and Justice TS Sivagnanam gave the direction while disposing of a public interest writ petition from former CPI MP M Selvaraj on Wednesday. Widening the road would enable the local people, now passing through the railway

gate, to get easy access to hospitals, educational institutions and public offices, the petitioner said.

In its counter, the Highways department submitted that necessary steps were being taken to widen the road in question. As it would take more time, light vehicles alone should be permitted to use the road that was being widened and strengthened, it added.

Recording the submission, the bench disposed of the petition with the direction that only light vehicles should be allowed on the said road and heavy vehicles should be banned from using the thoroughfare until it was widened and strengthened.