The Madras High Court disposed of a Petition filed seeking direction to the respondents to provide basic amenities of drinking water, medical facilities to maintain environmental protection and human health and to do appropriate preventive measures for the devotees and to remove the encroachments around the respondent temple.
According to the petitioner, encroachment exists around the respondent temple. Moreover, basic amenities of drinking water and medical facilities ought to be provided to the devotees.
Counter-affidavit is filed by the second respondent/District Collector. Counter-affidavit states that the officials are taking appropriate steps to ensure peaceful functioning of the temple and during the times when large crowds gather in the temple, more officials are deployed to provide protection and smooth movement of devotees. The stone mandapam in the temple is in a damaged condition and hence an iron grill has been installed in order to avoid any untoward incident and also as a measure to avoid people from entering the stone mandapam. A proposal has been sent for the renovation of the stone mandapam. The same is awaiting sanction of the State Level Expert Committee.
It is further stated that near the North Gate of the temple, 108 ambulances are stationed to cater to any emergency situation. Medical camp is arranged during festival times and there is always a team of efficient medical professionals ready to meet any emergency situation and provide medical aid. Uninterrupted electric supply is also provided in order to avoid inconvenience to the people gathered during the festival time. Other measures like using bleaching powder and cleaning the surroundings of the temple are also undertaken. Water tank is built by the panchayat with a capacity of 20,000 liters, in order to provide clean and safe drinking water to the people who gather during the time of Ashtami. Other facilities of providing water through taps are also provided. That apart, 15 temporary toilets, 6 public toilets and 3 bathrooms are located at around 100 meters away from the temple for the use of the devotees.
It is further stated in the affidavit that joint inspection was conducted on 27.07.2023 in the presence of Joint Commissioner, H.R. & C.E., Salem; the Revenue Divisional Officer, Attur; the Tahsildar, Thalaivasan; the Executive Officer, Aragalur; the Head Surveyor, Tahalivasal and other officials and it was found that there is no encroachment as claimed by the petitioner. However, during the festival of Ashtami, small shops are put up for a night and the same are removed within a day.
From the counter-affidavit, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V.Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu noted that measures are taken by the officials.
“Measures shall be continuously taken by the respondent officials as narrated above. If in future measures are not taken, then the aggrieved persons may agitate afresh”, the Court directed.