High Court restrains Highways Department from cutting trees between Vadavalli and Marudhamalai

The Madras High Court has restrained the Highways Department from removing/cutting trees along the stretch between Vadavalli and Marudhamalai in Coimbatore district.

Justices N. Sathish Kumar and D. Bharatha Chakravarthy issued the order on January 30, while hearing a petition submitted by Chennai-based activist S. Muralidharan.

The petitioner, citing a plea by Coimbatore-based non-governmental organisation ‘Osai’ to Chief Minister’s Special Cell, Highways Department and others, stated that a proposed widening of Marudhamalai Road would involve cutting of 19 banyan trees, nine peepal trees, 107 palmyra trees and nearly 100 other native tree species. These trees, which were planted long ago as part of roadside greening efforts, form an important micro-habitat for birds, owl species, small mammals and various nocturnal wildlife. The NGO wanted widening of the road to be limited up to Swamy Ayyappan Temple on Marudhamalai Road, where an area has been marked for the linking of the Western Ring Road (Western bypass).

The petitioner had also attached a reply received by a member of Osai from A. Gnanamoorthy, Divisional Engineer (Highways), dated December 24, 2025, which stated that land acquisition processes was being carried out through the Revenue Department after getting approval from the government for widening the stretch between Shree Anandhaas at Vadavalli and the Government Law College from two-lane to four-lane. The reply stated that the road was witnessing heavy traffic congestion as it was being used by people commuting to Marudhamalai Temple, Bharathiar University and the law college. Hence, undertaking works on the stretch from Vadavalli to the law college cannot be avoided once the land acquisition process is completed, it said.

As per the court order, the judges were of the view that till the proposal is submitted by the respondents and issue is finalised, the Highways Department shall be restrained from removing/cutting trees on the stretch.