HC judges inspect Rameswaram to assess problems of citizens

Based on petitions filed in the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court a three-member team of judges ( KK Sasidharan, GR Swaminathan, and J Nisha Banu) inspected various places in Rameswaram in person to assess the problems plaguing the area.

The team began their inspection on the Pamban bridge. Initially, they surveyed the space allotted for parking at the beginning of Pamban bridge. They then had a close look at the slippery part of the road and asked the officials about how they were progressing in relaying the road.

When the judges interacted with the locals, the public alleged that frequent accidents happened here due to the slippery nature of the new road and the laxity of the officials to relay it. They urged the judges to direct the officials to relay the load on Pamban bridge as soon as possible as it is the only connectivity between Pamban island and mainland.

The judges then proceeded to the Ramanathawamy Temple and inspected the basic amenities there. They inspected the spot where the drainage mixes with the sea. They enquired the Ramanathapuram Collector, S Natarajan, about the cleaning works undertaken at the Agni Theertham area and directed him to provide a clean place for devotees to take bath.

In the afternoon, the judges proceeded to Dhanushkodi and interacted with the fishermen. The fishermen said that they had been living for several generations at Dhanushkodi and asked the judges to direct the officials to provide basic amenities to them.

When the judges spoke to the revenue officials, they said that nearly half a kilometre of the land had submerged in the sea in the last 10 years and so the area is not safe to live.

The judges then informed the fishermen that officials would not allow shops and huts to be set up at Dhanushkodi anymore and even vehicles would be stopped at Mukundarayarchathiram in Rameswaram beyond which they would not be allowed.