8-lane Chennai-Salem highway: Progress shown ‘defies logic’

A division bench comprising Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Bhavani Subbaroyan, while hearing a batch of writ petitions against the project observed that the way the project has been progressing ‘defies logic’. Pointing out to the no objection certificate granted by Forest department in just six days, the bench wondered as to how this was possible when mapping of wildlife was in process. 

It also sought to know as to what purpose the initial 3A notification of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) would serve when various amendments in terms and conditions is being bought and the road alignment is undergoing a change.

However, the Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan submitted that at this stage one cannot determine as to what law has been violated and it was premature to arrive at any conclusion.

He further noted that NHAI has constituted an expert committee to review the recommendation of the consultation to consider the possibilities of realignment of the road from Chengam to Salem to avoid Kalrayan Hills forest.

Recording the submission, the bench said, “The apprehension of the land owners and other public interest litigants is that in the light of the stand taken by NHAI regarding realignment and status of environmental impact assessment study and the feasibility study, the authorities should not proceed with the acquisition proceedings by issuing a notification under Section 3 D of the National Highways Act, 1956.”

To this, the ASG submitted that nothing will happen as apprehended by the petitioners. Placing ASG’s submission on record, the bench then directed NHAI to file a flow chart about the steps taken and the stage, at which, the various assessments/study are as on date. Also, holding that the flow chart will be taken by us as a sequence of events, the bench then posted the case for further hearing on September 20.