The Supreme Court on August 21, 2026, directed the Tamil Nadu authorities and Southern Railway to proceed expeditiously with the remaining work for a Limited Use Subway (LUS) at Level Crossing No. 81 in Vaniyambadi, Tirupattur district.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta took note of the progress made on the long-pending project and directed the authorities to complete the pending processes without avoidable delay.
Background of the Case
Level Crossing No. 81 is located between Vaniyambadi and Kethandapatti railway stations. The railway line divides the eastern and western parts of Vaniyambadi, and the crossing is used by residents and commuters travelling between the two sides of the town.
The project was initially sanctioned in 2007 for construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) at an estimated cost of Rs. 13 crore on a cost-sharing basis with Southern Railway. However, authorities later found that the ROB would require substantial land acquisition in a heavily built-up area and would involve considerably higher costs. A Road Under Bridge (RUB) was therefore considered instead.
The project was subsequently modified again. Following a joint inspection by the State Highways Department and Southern Railway, a Limited Use Subway was considered in place of the RUB. The revised plan contemplated acquisition of approximately 5,009 square metres. The Tamil Nadu Government approved the change from RUB to LUS through G.O. (Ms.) No. 84 dated May 15, 2025.
Supreme Court's Observation
The appellant had approached the Supreme Court after the Madras High Court disposed of his writ petition without issuing a specific direction for completion of the project within a stipulated period. Before the Supreme Court, the authorities placed on record the latest status of land acquisition, approvals, tender proceedings and the proposed timelines.
The Supreme Court noted that the project had now moved beyond mere consideration and had materially progressed towards execution.
The Bench observed:
“We take the aforesaid statements and assurances of the respondents on record and expect the concerned authorities to proceed with the remaining steps with due expedition and in coordination with each other.”
The Court also recorded its appreciation for the appellant's continued efforts concerning the level crossing, noting that he had pursued the issue with the authorities and courts with the objective of securing relief for residents and commuters of Vaniyambadi.
Court's Directions
The Court directed the State authorities to complete the pending land acquisition proceedings and other approvals and processes within their domain with utmost expedition. They were also directed to ensure that the required land was made available to Southern Railway without avoidable delay.
Southern Railway was directed to finalise its tender process within the timeline indicated before the Court. After award of the contract and availability of the required land, it was directed to complete the work falling within its domain within six months from the date of award of the contract.
At the same time, the State authorities were directed to proceed with the designs, estimates, administrative approvals and other necessary steps concerning the Highways portion of the project.
The Court further directed the concerned respondents to file compliance affidavits after completion of the work within their respective domains and, in any event, within eight months from the date of the judgment.
Decision
The Supreme Court held that, in view of the subsequent developments and assurances placed before it, there was no useful purpose in keeping the appeal pending merely for continuous monitoring of the project.
The Court took the statements and assurances of the respondents on record, issued the above directions, and disposed of the appeal accordingly.
Pending applications, if any, were also disposed of.
Case Details
Case Title: Madurai Farooq Ahmed v. The Principal Secretary to Government & Ors.
Case Number: Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (C) No. 31444 of 2025
Judge: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
Decision Date: August 21, 2026
