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Madurai Farooq Ahmed's sustained pursuit of Vaniyambadi subway earns Supreme Court praise
The has commended Madurai Farooq Ahmed for his persistent efforts over several years to secure a Limited Use Subway (LUS) at Level Crossing No. 81 in Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta described his petition as a model of "," setting it apart from that often burden constitutional courts.
A citizen's persistence pays off
The case traces back to when the approved a Road Over Bridge (ROB) at the crossing. Due to land acquisition hurdles, the plan was changed to a Road Under Bridge (RUB) in , and later to a Limited Use Subway in . Over the years, Ahmed repeatedly approached the and the authorities, ensuring the project was not abandoned. The High Court disposed his latest petition in without a specific timeline, prompting him to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Not just any PIL: The court's distinction
The Supreme Court observed that while many petitions styled as PILs fail to advance any genuine public cause, Ahmed's case stood out.
"The appellant has demonstrated how a vigilant and
citizen can, through sustained and responsible engagement with public authorities and constitutional courts, draw attention to an issue affecting the community at large,"
the Bench stated. The court appreciated that Ahmed pursued the matter not for personal benefit but for the residents and commuters of Vaniyambadi.
What the Court ordered
After recording the progress made by the state authorities and the , the court issued a series of directions to ensure the subway is completed expeditiously. The State Government must complete pending land acquisition and approvals without delay and make the approach land available to the . The Railway was directed to finalise its tender within the timeframe indicated (by ) and complete construction within six months of the contract award. Both sides are to file within eight months of the judgment.
Constructive participation acknowledged
The judgment underscores that not all PILs are created equal. The court's appreciation of Ahmed's sustained and responsible engagement—over nearly two decades—highlights how citizens can effectively use constitutional mechanisms to secure public infrastructure. As the court noted, such "deserves acknowledgment." The matter has been disposed of with these directions, bringing the long-awaited subway one step closer to reality.
