Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court was today assured by the state PWD (Public Works Department) that the earth filling and other construction activities being carried out in the Deepor Beel area will be stopped soon. The HC directed the PWD to file an affidavit to the effect that the earth filling and the other construction activities will be removed by the next date of hearing of the instant case.
The bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam was hearing a PIL (public interest litigation) case no. PIL/18/2023, filed by Pramod Kalita and two others regarding activities detrimental to the environment of the Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site.
During the hearing, R. P. Nayak, counsel appearing for the PWD, submitted that he has filed an affidavit pursuant to the direction given by this Court on July 29, 2024, wherein it was mentioned that some earth filling and other construction activities are being carried out in the Deepor Beel area, and, in relation to that, the GMDA has already raised concern with the Chief Engineer, PWD. In response to the same, the Executive Engineer, PWD (Roads), has communicated that since the project is not covered under the EIA Notification of 2006, there is no requirement for seeking environmental clearance.
It was further submitted that the earth filling or other construction activities are being carried out for the proposed project of elevated corridor near Dharapur Tiniali. Today, counsel Nayak, on instructions, submitted that since the project for which the earth filling and other construction activities are carried out is now cancelled, therefore, temporary earth filling and other activities will be stopped very soon. It is stated that as per his instructions, around six to eight weeks will be required for removing the temporary earth filling and other construction activities.
Taking into consideration the above submissions made by PWD counsel Nayak, the bench directed the PWD to file an affidavit to the effect that the earth filling and the other construction activities in the Deepor Beel area will be removed by the next date of hearing of this case, which is subject to the availability of this bench.
In the meantime, D. Nath, Senior Government Advocate, was instructed to file an affidavit in terms of the order passed by this Court on July 29, 2024 in this PIL.
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