Five more resorts near Anaikatti closed over lack of approvals

Anaikatti Road. Image used for representation | Photo Credit: M. Periasamy

The Coimbatore district administration has closed five resorts in Nanjundapuram and No. 24 Veerapandi village panchayats, close to the ecologically sensitive forest fringes of the Western Ghats, for lacking various approvals for their operations.

Officials from various departments initiated the action based on a direction from the Madras High Court. The five closed establishments are Darza Resorts, Five Star Garden Restaurant in Nanjundapuram village, Brew’s 43 Resto & Cafe, Elephant Country Farm Stay, and Sarva Farm House (Farm Retreat) in No. 24 Veerapandi, said a senior official involved in the action.

In a status report submitted before a Special Division Bench of the High Court on October 8, 2026, the Coimbatore District Collector had submitted that officials from various departments inspected 33 resorts/establishments in No. 24 Veerapandi, Nanjundapuram, and Karamadai village panchayats to verify various approvals, including the ones from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, local panchayat, building licence and no-objection certificate from the Forest Department. The Collector had informed the court that 13 of them were closed and notices had been served on 12 others as part of the closure proceedings. The five resorts sealed on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) were among the 12 under scrutiny. A team comprising Coimbatore North Tahsildar K. Jayakumar, DTCP Assistant Director Pavithra, Block Development Officer Periyanaickenpalayam, and other officials closed these resorts, said the official.

The official added that violations of the closed resorts include lack of building approvals for old and recently constructed structures.

The Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and G.K. Muthukumaar on October 8 had directed the Collector to file a status report on the closure of the remaining resorts, which had been served notices, on Friday (November 13, 2026).

Published - November 13, 2026 12:46 pm IST