PIL in Madras High Court seeks SOP to ensure Chennai civic bodies work in tandem while digging up roads

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) requiring the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Chennai Metrowater Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), and Greater Chennai City Police to work in tandem while digging up city roads.

The First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) ordered notices to all four authorities and insisted that they file their counter affidavits within two weeks. The orders were passed after hearing the arguments advanced by activist S. Muralidharan, who argued his case in person and accused the officials of a callous attitude.