A Sri Lankan Tamil from Germany today submitted an affidavit at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High court here regarding the appalling conditions prevailing in Coutrallam town, which was thronged by 45,000 to 50,000 tourists daily during the season.
Karunanithy Ponnambalam, who came to the court after coming to know about the appointment of an Advocate Commissioner for studying the conditions prevailing in the town famous for its waterfalls, said he suo motu wanted to make suggestions to the court as he himself experienced a lot inconvience during his visit recently to worship at Kutralanathar temple and take bath in the falls.
He said unhygienic conditions prevailed in the town and sufficient police should be deployed to control the brokers. He also mentioned about lack of lighting facility, dressing rooms near the falls and uneven platform under the falls.
Karunanithy suggested that drunkards should not be allowed near the falls and complained that there was no good restaurant in the vicinty.
Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice S Vaidhyanathan, in a special sitting, thanking the tourist for filing the affidavit, ordered that a notice board be put up informing about parking fees.
Advocate Commissioner T S R Venkataramana said panchayat contractors were collecting Rs 50 as toll fee whereas the toll fixed was only Rs 20. The police did not take any action on the FIR registered by them relating to illegal toll collection.
He said during the season, the number of sanitary workers should be increased to 40 from 22. He wanted a clinic to be set up for providing first-aid to injured people.
He also expressed concern over sewage water from toilets at Kutralanathar temple premises and at town panchayat were being drained into the falls and this was a serious issue that needed immediate attention.
A PIL was also filed by Krishnaswamy, an advocate, who expressed similar concerns.
