Madras HC Declines to Block 90-Cent Substation at Arts College, Orders Safety Measures for Students and Staff

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus restraining respondents 1–5 from handing over College land in specified survey fields to TANGEDCO for an electricity substation, relying on an Alumni Association representation dated 12 January 2026.

The petitioner contended that the substation would threaten the safety of approximately 150 students at the Government College of Arts and Crafts and impede the College’s future expansion.

The State submitted that the College occupied approximately 12 acres, that only 90 cents was required, and that alternative sites were unsuitable because they were agricultural lands or water bodies.

The Court considered the petition under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The Court considered its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and the requirement that a proposed electricity substation within an educational institution be established with necessary safety precautions and protective measures, in accordance with applicable safety standards and regulations.

The judgment cites no specific statute or precedent governing the land’s use or the substation’s establishment.

The Court weighed the safety concerns against the need for essential electricity infrastructure and the reported difficulty of identifying a suitable alternative site.

It noted that the proposed use involved only 90 cents of the College’s approximately 12 acres, leaving about 11 acres for future development, and therefore rejected the claim that the project would necessarily deprive the College of land needed for expansion.

However, because the substation would be within an educational institution, the Court treated the safety of students, staff and other occupants as paramount and required adequate safeguards.

It directed the official respondents to establish the substation only after taking all necessary and adequate safety measures in accordance with applicable safety standards and regulations, to protect students, teaching staff and other persons using the College premises.

No order as to costs was made.