Removal of more constructions at park temple ordered

Chennai:A view of Muthurangam Park in West Tambaram.The Madras High Court has directed the Tambaram Municipality to remove the additional constructions put up at a temple in Muthurangam Park in West Tambaram.The First Bench comprising Chief Justice A. P. Shah and Justice P. Jyothimani gave the direction, after allowing a public interest litigation petition filed by A. Babu of West Tambaram. The petitioner submitted that the over-four-decade-old park was serving as a lung space for the densely populated area. The park, notified under the Tamil Nadu Parks, Playfields and Open Spaces (Prevention and Regulation) Act, 1959, could not be put to any other use without following the due procedure, he said.

The Amman temple was constructed on the park premises in 1975, the petitioner said, adding that the temple was now being expanded.Gopurams, platforms and another temple were being built on the premises, he said.The petitioner said, “if the managing trustee of the temple is allowed to construct the temple, the users of the park and the scheme for developing the park will be affected.”When the matter was taken up, the Government Pleader informed the court that the municipality was taking measures to remove the additional unauthorised constructions.Recording the submission, the judges said, “however, we make it clear that the original small temple of Amman will be allowed to remain at the site. It is not disputed by the managing trustee that the additional constructions have been put up without prior approval of the municipality.”

The judges said the additional constructions should be removed within three months.Staff Reporter from Tambaram writes:Authorities at Tambaram Municipality told the park’s net expanse was about four acres. Two temples had occupied more than 4,300 square feet.Officials said plans to improve the park were being drawn up at the estimated cost of Rs. 20 lakhs and proposed to be executed with the assistance from Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.