The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday instructed officials to submit a counter affidavit within two weeks in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing pollution concerns at Agni Theertham in Rameswaram.
The PIL raises alarm over sewage and contaminated water mixing with the sacred sea, posing threats to environmental health, devotees, and marine life.
Advocate Elephant Rajendran filed the petition, highlighting the pollution near the Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple. The petition alleged that sewage from the Rameswaram municipality was contaminating the sea, particularly in the vicinity of Agni Theertham, a revered holy water body. It also noted that the roads leading to the site were in poor condition, exacerbating the plight of devotees.
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Rajendran stated that despite repeated complaints to the authorities, no action had been taken to address these pressing issues. He urged the court to direct the authorities to immediately halt sewage discharge into the sea and improve road conditions for visiting devotees.
A Division Bench comprising Justices M. S. Ramesh and A. D. Maria Clete issued the directive while hearing the petition. The petitioner sought specific action from the Ramanathapuram District Collector to prevent sewage from polluting the sea and to ensure the roads and *padithurai* (bathing areas) were properly maintained.
The court adjourned the matter for further hearing on November 27.
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