Tamil Nadu Sets Up Expert Body to Protect Sholinganallur’s Thamaraikani Tank from Encroachment
The Tamil Nadu government has constituted an expert committee to safeguard the sprawling Thamaraikani waterbody located opposite the Infosys campus in Sholinganallur, Chennai, from encroachment, the state informed the Madras High Court.
What Happened
During a hearing before the first Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, Additional Advocate General (AAG) P.V. Balasubramaniam submitted that the government established the committee of experts a week earlier. The proceedings stem from a 2019 public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, represented by its managing trustee Jayaram Venkatesan.
Initially filed against the construction of a building for the Semmenchery police station directly on the waterbody, the petition was subsequently amended to demand the removal of all other encroachments and the complete restoration of the tank to its original condition. The High Court had previously stayed the inauguration of the police station structure in 2019.
Key Highlights
- Historical Scope: According to the Public Works Department’s tank memoir, the Thamaraikani tank originally covered an area of 13.47 hectares and historically irrigated approximately 250 acres.
- Part of a Tank System: The waterbody forms part of Periya Eri, a mosaic of interconnected waterbodies that also includes Valaleri and Velalkani tank.
- Surrounding Infrastructure: The court was informed that several public and private institutions currently stand adjacent to each other in the area, including an electricity sub-station, a large Aavin milk factory, a government higher secondary school, and the stayed police station building.
- Boundary Demarcation: The state government stated it has demarcated the existing boundaries of the waterbody to secure its remaining extent, alongside appointing the expert body to recommend measures against future encroachments.
Why This Matters
The case underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny over public infrastructure development on historical waterbodies. While government counsel noted the necessity of protecting existing public facilities like schools, milk processing units, and power sub-stations, the proceedings highlight the environmental imperative of preserving urban water systems that once served significant agricultural and catchment functions in Chennai’s expanding IT corridor.
What to Watch Next
The Madras High Court granted the state government four weeks to submit a comprehensive status report on the matter. Furthermore, the bench directed that the newly appointed expert body must examine and consider suggestions submitted by the petitioner organisation, Arappor Iyakkam, regarding the preservation and protection of the waterbody.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Thamaraikani waterbody located?
The Thamaraikani tank is situated opposite the Infosys campus at Sholinganallur in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Who initiated the legal challenge regarding the waterbody?
The public interest litigation was filed in 2019 by the organisation Arappor Iyakkam through its managing trustee Jayaram Venkatesan.
What did the Madras High Court order during the hearing?
The High Court granted the state four weeks to file a comprehensive status report and directed the expert committee to consider recommendations from the petitioner organisation.
Source: Based on proceedings reported from the Madras High Court.