Madras HC orders closure of 8 resorts near Anaikatti; district begins action

The Coimbatore district administration has begun legal proceedings to close eight resorts around Anaikatti, following a directive from the Madras High Court. The resorts were found to be functioning without valid planning permission and other mandatory approvals.

District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar told The Hindu that the process was initiated in accordance with the High Court order and the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act and rules. "Officials involved have started serving notices to the eight resorts as per the proceedings," he said.

A special Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and K. Rajasekar issued the order on August 21, directing the Collector to close the eight resorts. The resorts were identified by a committee headed by the Collector and comprising the Forest Range Officer, the Tahsildar (Coimbatore North), and the Block Development Officer (Periyanaickenpalayam). The committee conducted inspections of private resorts in Veerapandi and Nanjundapuram village panchayats.

The High Court observed that only two of the ten inspected resorts — My Village Eco and Darza Resorts — had obtained proper planning permission. However, even these two received such permission only on July 1, 2026, according to the order. The other eight resorts — SR Jungle Resort, Corniche Inn, Dolphins Resort and Restaurant, K.K. Selfie Point, Farm Retreat, Fire Fly Resort, Bharath Holidays Resort, and Gmax Resort and Restaurant — have no valid planning permission or other requisite licences, the Bench noted.

In addition to ordering the closure of these eight resorts, the Court directed the Collector to submit a report on the next date of hearing. The committee has also been asked to conduct further field inspections to determine whether any other resorts are operating in the region without proper approvals. The order said appropriate action should be taken if such resorts are found.

According to a list prepared by local activists, there are 25 more resorts working in the area apart from the ten that came up before the Court. The activists have claimed many resorts operate without submitting any application and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into all such facilities.

Mr. Giriyappanavar said the committee had already completed field inspections and was serving notices to several other resorts to verify their approval status. The exercise is being carried out to enforce the High Court's directions and ensure that no unauthorised resort continues to function in the Anaikatti belt.