Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 15 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: P.K. Sudhakar, a farmer and secretary of a community group, filed writ petitions W.P.No.14981 of 2026 and W.M.P.No.16204 of 2026 under Article 226 seeking a writ of mandamus to restrain respondents 1 and 2 from allowing respondents 3‑6 to close Pandravedu Lake (Survey No.39), Nandimadagu Pond (Survey No.55/3) and their connecting water channels in Pandravedu Village, Tiruvallur District.
  • Respondents:

1. Secretary, Government Water Resources Department, Chennai

2. Additional Chief Secretary, Government Water Resources Department, Chennai

3. Engineer‑in‑Chief & Chief Engineer (General), Water Resources Department, Chennai

4. Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Chennai Region

5. District Collector, Tiruvallur District

6. Deputy Chief Engineer/Construction, Southern Railway, East Tambaram, Chennai

  • Allegations: The petitioner alleged that Southern Railway was dumping heavy sand and soil into the water bodies, obstructing water flow and blocking panchayat access roads, thereby threatening the water supply for nearly 10,000 residents across seven villages.
  • Railway’s Defence & Protective Measures:

(a) The Government of Tamil Nadu issued a No Objection Certificate for the transfer of 1.225 hectares of land within Pandravedu Lake for the railway project.

(b) The Water Resources Department directed Southern Railway to construct an elevated bridge over the lake with a minimum waterway width of 15.0 meters; the Railway voluntarily agreed to build an 18.0‑meter waterway bridge, exceeding the requirement.

(c) Southern Railway deposited Rs 2.50 crore with the Water Resources Department for deepening the lake, intended to increase its overall water‑holding capacity.

(d) The Railway also committed to undertaking additional deepening works at Nandi Madagu Pond to ensure surrounding agricultural lands remain irrigated.

Final Outcome

  • The Court observed that the safeguards already implemented eliminate any real threat to Pandravedu Lake and that the public interest of providing modern railway connectivity while preserving water resources is adequately balanced.
  • Consequently, the writ petition is dismissed. No order as to costs is made, and the interim application stands closed.

Topics: Water Resources, Railway Infrastructure