A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant has issued a notice to the Union Government, Karnataka government, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and has asked for a response in four weeks. The court was hearing a plea by Godrej against the NGT’s July 30 order.
The apex court had earlier issued notices to the Union government, the Karnataka government and others on an appeal filed by Wonder Projects Development Pvt Ltd and others. Senior advocate AM Singhvi, representing the project proponent, had argued that the NGT had reproduced its order from another case and stopped the project despite requisite consents.
The green panel had ruled that the construction would fall within the buffer zone of the Kaikondrahalli lake and therefore is violative of the zoning laws.
"It is clear that the project stipulates construction in the buffer zone, which is in violation of the zoning plan and a judgement of this tribunal as affirmed by the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the environmental clearance is quashed," it had said.
Bengaluru resident HP Rajanna had moved court against the project, Godrej Reflections, being built at Kasavanahalli village in Varthur Hobli in Bengaluru Urban district. Rajanna challenged a State Environment Impact Assessment Authority order dated January 10, 2018, granting an EC to the project at survey nos. 61/2, 62 and 63/2, Kasavanahalli village, Varthur Hobli, Bengaluru East Taluk and Bengaluru district. The petition had stated that the construction lies in the buffer zone of the Kaikondrahalli lake, apart from one primary and two secondary 'rajakulewes' (storm-water drains).