Metro work near Lalbagh can’t be stalled, says HC

Metro work near Lalbagh can’t be stalled, says HC
Refuses Interim Relief Sought By NGOs, Activists
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The high court on Saturday rejected an interim relief sought by Hasiru-Usiru, Environmental Support Group and others for stalling work on the Lalbagh Metro station. The petitioners wanted the BMRC to meet the conditions imposed in a document submitted to it.
“There is already an order by this court asking the BMRC not to cut or remove any standing tree in and around Lalbagh without obtaining necessary permission from the BBMP’s tree officer. The Metro project is undertaken with a larger public interest in mind — to ease traffic... It cannot be stalled at this stage,” a division Bench headed by Justice V Gopala Gowda observed.
The Bench, however, reserved its verdict over the main relief sought in the petition, which challenges handover of Lalbagh land for the station.
Appearing on behalf of the state and BMRC, advocate general Udaya Holla told the court the project will reduce 8 lakh vehicles from the already choked roads, and 7 lakh litres of petrol and diesel will be saved.
“If it is taken underground, 141 trees will have to be cut. Now, 188 trees are to be felled. The Metro is ecofriendly and carbon displacement effect will be that of more than 10,000 trees,” he explained.
The court wanted to know the fate of BMTC and its employees once Namma Metro is commissioned, and also about rehabilitation of affected persons who lose their dwellings and shops.
The AG promised there will be no ill-effects on BMTC and necessary steps will be taken with regard to displaced persons.
Environmental Support Group and Hasiru-Usiru in their PIL have challenged the November 22, 2008 ordinance seeking to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act and the February 25, 2009 order of handing over 1135.18 square metres within Lalbagh.