MADURAI
Taking serious note of the fact that a boating club and a star hotel were utilising Kodaikanal lake for commercial purposes like boating, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday put forth a series of queries on the issue.
A Division Bench of Justices T.S. Sivagnanam and R. Tharani sought a response from the parties concerned on the issues that included boating service. The petition was filed by Kodai Smile Environment and People’s Welfare Development Trust.
The petitioner, S. Arockiasamy, representing the trust, said Kodaikanal Boat and Rowing Club and Carlton Hotel were using the lake for commercial purposes, even as a government order passed in 2009 gave Kodaikanal Municipality the sole authority over the lake.
The boating club was using more area than the leased pocket and was plying boats even after the end of the lease period. A restaurant was also run by the club in the leased area without approval, the petitioner said.
The star hotel was also using the premises for providing boating to its customers, the petitioner said and sought a direction to restrain the parties from using the lake for commercial purposes. The case was adjourned for the filing of counter affidavits.