P.V.GOPAL Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) P.V.Gopal, first petitioner and claiming himself to be a public spirited person, with public interest, along with three others, have filed the instant public interest litigation, for a mandamus to the respondents to straighten and widen 'S' bend, in the middle of Thanneerpandal Road, Vilankurichi Road, Kodicia Road, and Gandhi Managar junction situated in Ward No.37 of Coimbatore East Zone, Coimbatore Corporation, by implementing resolution No.4, dated 19.2.2013 passed by the 4th respondent, forthwith so as to reduce accidents, and to have free access for the public.

(2.) Petitioners have further submitted that in their area, 'S'? bend is a junction point, connecting several arterial roads of Coimbatore city, viz., Thanneerpandal Road, Kodicia Road, Vilankunchi Road, and Gandhimanagar Junction, and the said 'S'? bend, is situated nearby to Salem-Kochin National Highway, at 150 Kms. 'S'? bend is the cause for several accidents, and heavy traffic congestions, in the area and that Public have also named the said bend junction, as dangerous curve. In fact, even the 4th respondent-Corporation, while passing the resolution, terming 'S'? bend junction, as a dangerous area, felt that the traffic congestion can be eliminated, by widening and straightening the arterial road, by resorting to acquisition of the required lands and removal of some of the encroachments in that area, if any. Pursuant to the resolution of the Member Secretary, Local Planning Authority, Coimbatore, 5th respondent herein, dated 19.02.2013, the 4th respondent-Corporation has passed a resolution, dated 22.02.2013.

(3.) Petitioners have further submitted that when no action was taken on the resolution of the 4th respondent-Corporation, they made representations to implement the resolution, for reducing the road accidents and to avoid traffic congestion. Dinamalar Kovai Edition also published an article on 21.08.2015, sensitizing the issue. Even after five years, no action has been taken for widening of the road, which is a dangerous bend and that traffic flow has considerably grown manifold in that area, equally in the increase of accidents.