HC rejects plea against HT towers through farmlands

Justice G Jayachandran said, as pointed out in its counter by the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI), which is implementing the Rs 24,000 crore project, the 1,843-km transmission line that would pass through five states was going to benefit the people of Tamil Nadu.Dismissing the petitions by Vai Palanisamy and 10 others, he observed that despite various pronouncements of the courts in similar matters, the petitions were filed based on misinformation being percolated among the public “through sensational and irresponsible news.”

He said those spreading such news were bound to introspect whether they were truly exposing the cause of public.

He also said it was only an attempt by some vested interests to keep the state in dark.

The judge referred to various Supreme Court and high court orders and said the issues raised by the petitioners had already been settled in view of an SC order in the PGCI vs Century Textile Industries Limited case.

Referring to the petitioners’ concerns about electrostatic field, the judge said if there was really an element of damage which were peculiar to them, they have every right to make a representation for increasing the height of the towers.Besides, they can always seek redressal from the PGCI in case of any problem, he said.