Criticising the National Highways Authority of India, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday questioned the need for converting agriculture lands into highways.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar asked the NHAI the need for laying so many roads at the cost of agricultural lands. The court ordered status quo on the notification for a proposed highway project connecting Vadipatti and Chittampatti in Madurai district.
The petitioner, A.M.M.M. Ambigapathy of Madurai, an agriculturalist, complained of mindless expansion in the city at the cost of fertile agricultural lands. With fast-dwindling agricultural lands and water sources, there was a need to act quickly to protect them, he said.
Though farmers opposed the project, it was being implemented without obtaining prior environmental clearance. Objections raised by agriculturalists were not heeded and the public hearing held was simply an eyewash, he said.
Moreover, the proposal lacked mandatory requirements on the extent of agricultural lands that would be acquired. Challenging the notification as arbitrary, the petitioner sought a direction to stay it. The case was adjourned to June.