HC: Authorities are duty-bound to ensure that highways are properly maintained free from encroachments

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed Madurai Corporation, Highways and Police Department to periodically monitor Mattuthavani area and ensure that the area was free from encroachments.

A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that it was the duty of Madurai Corporation and the police officers to ensure the free flow of traffic near Mattuthavani bus stand, flower market and vegetable market.

The court observed that the authorities are duty bound to ensure that highways are properly maintained free from encroachments for public usage. The court disposed of a batch of public interest litigation petitions that had sought a direction to the authorities to remove the encroachments made on highway roads, road margins and pavements.