Plea to remove encroachments on NH in Kanyakumari dist

Madurai: Madras high court on Friday sought a response from the authorities on a plea directing them to remove encroachments on the national highway (NH-47) road stretch from Kanyakumari to Kaliakkavilai.
A division bench of justice J Nisha Banu and justice S Srimathy sought the response while hearing a public interest litigation filed by A Jeeva.
The petitioner stated that the nearly 55km national highway stretch from Kanyakumari to Kaliakkavilai faced severe traffic congestion due to encroachments on both sides of the road. The stretch is poorly maintained and is very narrow in certain places. This resulted in frequent accidents leading to loss of lives and injuries, severe traffic congestion causing delay and inconvenience to commuters, and wastage of fuel due to prolonged travel times.
He stated that no steps were taken by the authorities to widen the road stretch. Encroachments by private individuals and commercial establishments further worsened the situation, particularly in key junctions such as Kuzhithurai, Marthandarn, Swamiyarmadam, Thuckalay, Vadasery, Kottar, and Suchindram, obstructing the free movement of vehicles.
He stated that he submitted several representations to remove the encroachments; however, no steps were taken. Hence, the petitioner moved court.