HC order puts brakes on Metro work

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Work on the Namma Metro project could be delayed further with the high court on Thursday ordering that all further development works on a ready mix concrete (RMC) plant for the project, be stopped till further orders. A division bench, headed by Justice D.V. Shylendra Kumar, passed the orders after hearing a petition filed by residents of Suvidha retirement village located on Kanakapura Main Road alleging that the plant run by Bumi Geo Engineering Private limited, supplying RMC to the Metro, is causing pollution.

According to the petitioner, the plant is located just 300 mts away from their area and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has given consent to operate the plant despite located in the green belt area. The bench came down heavily upon the pollution control board and termed it as ‘pollution promotion board’ and also felt that it is high time that it should be wound up. “What is your (KSPCB) role? Pollution control board or pollution board. Does it mean that if someone obtains permission from KSPCB, they can pollute,” court asked the board.

The advocate for KSPCB explained to the court that the operation of the plant is time-bound and does not involve any manufacturing of chemicals and it is only the operation of manual mixing of stone, cement and water. “The KSPCB is an apology for the statutory functioning body,” the court observed, adding that its function should be to ensure that there are no pollution and not to permit such operations in a green belt area. Without any awareness, it should not give consent just because some big people are involved with Metro projects, the court said.

It further said that Board should not be concerned with the Metro project, as it should function independently for what it has been constituted. “Does the law changes for Metro activities,” the court asked. The respondents have been directed to file objections in four weeks times.