Mumbai News

Bombay HC notice to BMC on Powai lake cycle track – Times of India

Bombay high court

Mumbai: The Bombay high court vacation bench on Monday directed the BMC, Centre, the state and other authorities to file a reply within a week on a PIL filed by two IIT-B research students for judicial intervention to preserve Powai lake against damage by the cycle track project.
Justice S J Kathawalla directed petitioners’ through counsel Rajmani Varma along with advocate Prayushi Kapadia to file a rejoinder in three days thereafter and posted the matter to November 16, to be placed before the bench of the Chief Justice. The court asked the BMC not to carry out any cycle track activities till then.
Varma said the HC in 2013 directed that in ‘wetlands’ in the Centre’s Wetland Atlas, there shall be no reclamation and no construction without court nod. He showed the HC a provision under the DCR and submitted that it mentions that “to prevent soil erosion and silting in lakes, an exclusive green belt of 100 m shall be provided around the periphery of Vihar and Powai lake, in which no construction whatsoever shall be allowed’’.
Senior counsel Aspi Chinoy appeared for BMC and opposing the PIL, questioned the petitioners’ submissions and ‘wetland’ argument, saying it was a man-made reservoir and the project was in public interest. The BMC said it is a ‘natural area’ and under DCR, amenable to laying of cycle track.
Jyoti Chavan, government lawyer, sought time to file a reply when the HC asked her if the lake was part of wetlands.

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Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bombay-hc-notice-to-bmc-on-powai-lake-cycle-track/articleshow/87473630.cms