52 acres of land identified as alternate site for Ooty MRC

Chennai: The State government has informed the Madras high court that it has identified 52 acres of land at Nedugula-II village in Kotagiri Taluk as alternate site for the entire areas of the existing leased out land in Udhagamandalam Taluk to the Madras Race Club.

Innocent Divya, the Nilgiris District Collector stated this in her report addressed to the Government Pleader. A copy of which, was produced by the Advocate general Vijay Narayan before a division bench comprising Justices N.Kirubakaran and Abdul Quddhose when the appeal filed by the Madras Race Club came up for hearing on Thursday.

MRC filed the appeal against an order of a single judge, which dismissed the petition from MRC challenging the show cause notice issued by the Nilgiris district collector calling upon the MRC to hand over 4 acres of land out of 52.34 acres at Udhagamandalam for the purpose of creating a parking area in the said 4 acres of land.

During the last hearing, the bench had directed the District Collector to identify any other area for alternate site to accommodate the Madras Race Club.

In its order, the bench said with regard to alternate site, as suggested by this court, to be provided to the Madras Race Club to an extent of 54 acres, the District Collector stated that the extent of 21.17.0 Hectares (i.e.,) 52 acres of land in Survey No.875/2 at Nedugula-II village in Kotagiri Taluk has been identified as alternative land for the entire areas of the existing leased out land in Udhagamandalam Taluk and therefore, the Madras Race Club undertakes to inspect the property to take a decision in this regard. The said decision shall be reported to this court on the next date of hearing. “The Madras Race Club officials as well as the District Administration officials should jointly visit the property, so that the site could be identified and inspected by the Madras Race Club”, the bench added.

The bench said with regard to the queries raised by this court on July 25, 2019, the District Collector by communication dated August 5 addressed the Government Pleader, giving certain answers. However, the time limit for approving the proposal by the government has to be filed by way of an affidavit by the higher officials concerned.

Recording to the submission of Advocate General Vijay Narayan that three weeks time was required for giving approval, the bench said the department head concerned has to file an affidavit on the next date of hearing stating that within three weeks the approval would be granted. “The Race Club is ready to hand over 1.5 acres to the District Administration. Therefore, before the next date of hearing, the District Administration is directed to take possession of the said 1.5 acres of land demarcated by the Madras Race Club”, the bench added and posted to August 28, for further hearing.

In her answers, with regard to setting up a sewage plant, the district collector stated that immediate steps have been taken and proposal sent to the government for approval the plan for restoration of damaged UGSS at Kodappamund channel at a cost of Rs 500 lakhs and revamping of existing dumped garbage in compost yard at theetukal at a cost of Rs 856.76 lakh to the Commission of Municipal Administration, Chennai and copy submitted to the Principal Secretary to government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.

With regard to scientific disposal of the sewage, she said steps have been taken to get approval from the government and a letter sent to the Commission of Municipal Corporation, Chennai requesting to approve the proposal of construction of sewage RCC drain and laying of sewage pipe along both side of Coonoor river and construction of storage septage tank with the cost of Rs 330 lakh so as to enable the district administration to file the report before the Madras High Court.

With regard to unapproved buildings, she said necessary proposals has already been sent to government requesting orders for disbanding the AAA committee in respect of Nilgiris district and to merge AAA Committee with the “Building Permission District Level Committee” constituted by the District Collector. In this connection, necessary action has been taken to follow up the issue with government to pass orders. On receipt of orders, necessary action will be taken, she added.

With regard to the guidelines of NGT relating to dumping yard, she said necessary proposal for Bio mining of legacy waste has been sent to the government. The Udhagamandalam Municipality has appointed the Director, Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai as Project Manager Consultant for implementing the Bio mining project. After quantification of legacy waste by Anna University Consultant the final estimate will be prepared. Now, it has been requested the government to issue order at an early date. Necessary action will be taken on receipt of the government order, she added.