‘Report on unused land to build bridge’

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Defence ministry and the State Highways department to file reports with regard to an unused piece of land, measuring 980 sq.ft on the side of Adyar River at Tharapakkam for laying a road to connect Anakaputhur, Pallavaram and Porur with a bridge, which was constructed in 2011.

The first bench gave the directive when a PIL from advocate Elephant G Rajendran came up on Friday. The reports are to be filed by October 20.

According to petitioner, if the vacant land was used for the road, the same would benefit people and save time and energy. The land in question situated on the eastern side of the bridge was in possession of Air Force for the past 60 years.

When the State Highways department attempted to lay the road in 2011, air force authorities objected to the same. Several representations to Defence Ministry did not yield any positive result. Hence, the present PIL.