In a significant move highlighting its dissatisfaction with the ongoing pollution crisis, the Madras High Court has taken a decisive step by appointing a renowned national expert to salvage the Thamirabarani river. The court has named Rajendra Singh, the celebrated environmentalist known as the 'Water Man of India', as a commissioner to conduct a thorough study and propose concrete solutions.
Court's Frustration with Lack of Progress
On Friday, a division bench comprising Justices G R Swaminathan and B Pugalendhi made this pivotal appointment. The judges expressed clear disappointment with the progress made by the state authorities, including the district administration, the Water Resources Department, and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, over more than a year of judicial monitoring. The bench stated that despite numerous orders, effective solutions were not presented, and the progress was unsatisfactory.
A Commissioner with Proven Expertise
The court turned to Rajendra Singh, a Magsaysay Award recipient famed for his hands-on work in reviving dried-up rivers and streams in Rajasthan. The judges noted that his unparalleled field experience makes him uniquely qualified to develop a feasible and workable proposal for the Thamirabarani. The bench expressed confidence that all stakeholders would take his suggestions seriously and implement them fully to restore the river's pristine purity.
To aid in his task, the court permitted Singh to take the assistance of Balaji Rangaramanujam, who has done commendable fieldwork in Dindigul. The commissioner is authorized to undertake field visits at his convenience, and all relevant officials and departments have been directed to provide their fullest cooperation.
Origins in a Contempt Petition
This order stems from a contempt petition filed by S Kamaraj (also known as Muthalakurichi Kamaraj) from Tuticorin district. Kamaraj had initially filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to prevent sewage discharge into the Thamirabarani. In March 2024, the court disposed of that PIL with a series of directives to identify and halt sewage inflow. The subsequent contempt petition alleged non-compliance with those very orders, leading to the latest intervention and the appointment of the special commissioner.
The appointment of a figure of national stature like Rajendra Singh underscores the gravity of the Thamirabarani's plight and the judiciary's determination to see tangible, expert-driven action. All eyes will now be on the commissioner's study and the state's response to his forthcoming recommendations.
