Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court, in a recent observation, stated that Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) is not allowed to uproot any trees in the Maidan area of Kolkata for the construction of the Victoria Metro station for the Joka-Esplanade line at present. Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, leading a division bench, noted that there is no indication of the project being halted by a previous order of a vacation bench, and RVNL should not have any concerns. The court clarified that RVNL cannot uproot or transplant any trees in the Maidan area until obtaining necessary permissions from the appropriate authorities.
In response to a petitioner claiming that trees in the area were being uprooted, impacting the city's ecology, a vacation bench issued an interim order on October 26, restraining RVNL from uprooting trees in the Maidan area until they and the Union Ministry of Environment file respective affidavits. RVNL filed an affidavit opposing this and requested the vacation bench, presided over by the Chief Justice, to vacate the interim order.
The bench, including Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, directed various authorities, including the West Bengal government, State Heritage Commission, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army, to file affidavits stating their positions on the public interest litigation (PIL). The state's forest department was also suo motu impleaded in the matter.
The court instructed RVNL to file a supplementary affidavit with additional documents, granting leave to the petitioner to submit a supplementary affidavit with relevant facts. The authorities were directed to file affidavits by December 7, the petitioner to reply by December 15, and the matter will be heard again on December 19.
RVNL mentioned in its application that Defence authorities have already given land and working permission for the underground station's construction. An application was also sent to Defence authorities seeking permission for the transplantation of trees in the construction area. RVNL emphasized that construction has not started, and they are waiting for necessary approvals before commencing any work. The court acknowledged RVNL's submission that they are not in a position to uproot any trees in the Maidan area as necessary permissions are pending.
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