'Hurts Religious Sentiment': 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan Moves Kerala HC Against Proposed Alignment Of Thiruvanaya-Thavanur Bridge Across Bharathapuzha River
Tellmy Jolly
5 Sep 2024 1:31 PM GMT
E Sreedharan, an Engineer, renownedly known as Metro Man has moved a public interest litigation at the Kerala High Court. He is challenging the failure of the state government and authorities to consider alternative and feasible options for realigning the Thiruvanaya-Thavanur Bridge across the Bharathapuzha River without affecting the Holy Trinity Temples to preserve religious sanctity.
The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu has directed the government to file a statement.
E Sreedharan is the architect behind the prestigious Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro Rail Project. He has approached the Court for realigning the proposal of constructing the Thiruvanaya-Thavanur Bridge across Bharathapuzha in a way that it preserves the religious sanctity.
He submitted that the proposed bridge divides the Holy Trinity between the Vishnu Temple at Thiruvanaya in Malappuram district on the north bank of Bharathapuzha river from the temples dedicated to Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu at Thavanur on the south bank of the river He submitted that proposed bridge would thus affect 'religious sanctity' and hurt religious sentiments of Hindu devotees.
He further argued that the proposed construction of the bridge would cut through the office complex and encroach upon the samadhi of Late Shri K Kelappan, referred to as the Kerala Gandhi.
The petitioner, who is an expert in the field has offered to provide technical assistance to the state government free of cost.
The petitioner submitted that he has not received a response to the letters to the Chief Minister, Minister of Public Works Department and Tourism. In his letter, he has provided alternative and viable options for constructing the bridge without affecting Holy Trinity temples, and historical structures. He submitted that his suggestions would reduce the construction cost as well as avoid any socio-religious issues.
It is submitted that the proposed construction of the bridge will commence on September 08, 2024. He has therefore approached the Court seeking an order directing the respondents to consider the alternative alignment proposed by him.
The plea has been moved by Advocates Sajith Kumar V, Vivek A V, Sreehari V S
Case Number: WPC 31375/2024
Case Title: Dr E Sreedharan v State of Kerala & Others
