Now Reading: Supreme Court lauds Tamil Nadu man’s persistent PIL for railway subway
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Supreme Court lauds Tamil Nadu man’s persistent PIL for railway subway
The Supreme Court has praised Madurai Farooq Ahmed, a Tamil Nadu resident, for his years-long pursuit of a railway subway at Vaniyambadi, calling it an example of 'constructive civic participation.' A bench…
The Supreme Court has praised Madurai Farooq Ahmed, a Tamil Nadu resident, for his years-long pursuit of a railway subway at Vaniyambadi, calling it an example of 'constructive civic participation.' A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that Ahmed's petition was not for personal gain but to secure relief for residents and commuters.
The case involves a level crossing between Vaniyambadi and Kethandapatti stations, used by many residents. In 2007, the Tamil Nadu government sanctioned a road over bridge at Rs 13 crore, but the project changed to a road under bridge and later to a limited use subway due to land acquisition issues. Ahmed approached the Madras High Court in 2025 and then the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court directed the state to speed up land acquisition and approvals. Southern Railway said it could complete its portion within six months of contract award, subject to land availability. The court ordered both to file compliance affidavits within eight months.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The case highlights a recurring problem across Indian railway crossings where cost and land issues cause decades of delay. Vaniyambadi's level crossing affects daily life for thousands. The court's praise for a citizen who persisted for nearly 20 years contrasts with its frequent frustration over frivolous PILs. The real test will be whether the state and railway meet the eight-month deadline for compliance affidavits, given past slippages on similar projects.
Source: barandbench.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
