MRC likely to be shifted soon from Ooty as TN identifies 2 alternate sites

Chennai: The Madras Race Club situated at the centre of Ooty is likely to be shifted soon as the state government has identified two alternate sites in Kotagiri taluk, as suggested by the Madras high court.

Advocate general Vijay Narayan, assisted by advocate K.Ravikumar informed the same 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 Wednesday.

In its order, the bench said as far as the alternate site to be provided to Madras Race Club to shift the existing Race Club from Ooty, is concerned, two places were shown to the Madras Race Club officials and a joint inspection was made on August 24, 2019.

The bench said the District Collector, Udhagamandalam, has sent a report giving details of the inspection. In her report, she had stated that in Kotagiri taluk, Survey No.825/2 in Kadaikambatty hamlet of Nedugula-2 village, having an total extent of 21.17.0 hectares and registered as “Pudhar” in revenue records. The above land was located at Kodaikambatty hamlet which was 9.5 km distance from Kotagiri Town. During the joint inspection, the general public of the Kodaikambatty hamlet gathered and filed their objections. The above said land has temple and community hall buildings. In addition to that they were said to be using one part of the land as a burial ground for the past 60 years. The District Collector also stated that another land in Survey No.382/1 of Jaccakombai hamlet of Nedugula-1 village of Kotagiri taluk with an extent of 60.63.00 Hectares registered as “Tharisu” in the revenue records was inspected by the revenue officials along with MRC authorities. The above land was located at Jaccakombai hamlet which was 9.5 Kms distance from Kotagiri town. An extent of 00.21.50 hectares of land has been used as Play ground for religious purpose. In addition, an extent of 14.57.50 hectares of land was encroached by way of Tea cultivation. “From the above it is clear that two sites are available to the Madras Race Club to shift race club from the present location at Ooty”, the bench added.

The bench said however, Parthasarathy, counsel appearing for the Madras Race Club submitted that the said land was not a leveled one and it has got ups and downs and it may not be possible or feasible to establish a race course in those places. He further submitted that the site was located 40 kms away from Ooty and it was impossible for the MRC to shift race horses through floats. Moreover, he submitted that for leveling the field it would require around Rs 200 to Rs 400 crore. Advocate general Vijay Narayan submitted that to go to new site one need not go to Ooty and then travel to new place. However, the nearest point from the main road which leads to Ooty to the new place was about 9 km and the said place was well connected with the main road and even if there was no proper road that can be properly laid. With regard to the costs involved in leveling of the field, advocate general submitted that he will get a feasibility report, the bench added.