Madras High Court keeps order pending on Pallikaranai marshland building ban

The Madras High Court has reserved its verdict on a set of petitions that challenge the National Green Tribunal's order stopping new construction near the Pallikaranai marshland.

Court Hearing And Arguments

Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan heard the case on Wednesday and deferred their final decision without giving a specific date. During the proceedings, senior counsel P.S. Raman argued for CREDAI-Chennai that the tribunal's one-kilometre ban is arbitrary and has halted building work across 3,474 hectares in South Chennai, causing trouble for property owners and builders. He also pointed out that the marshland boundaries have not yet been clearly marked and might shrink after a proper survey. Meanwhile, Additional Advocate General P.V. Balasubramaniam presented a map for the Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority, suggesting a smaller interim zone of 128.19 hectares where building could be regulated instead of being fully banned.

Context

Wetlands like the Pallikaranai marshland act as vital natural sponges that absorb rainwater and help prevent floods in growing urban areas. Courts and environmental bodies frequently balance these ecological needs with real estate development demands.