Environmentalists demand to know L&T plan

With Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) submitting an application to the western zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking permission to put up 75 cameras in 24 locations of Aarey Colony, environmentalists have expressed a desire to know about the nature of construction that will be undertaken for the entire project.

Apparently, L&T came to know about the NGT stay order on August 19, 2015 on construction work in Aarey Colony and requested they be granted permission on the condition of not harming the area’s ecology and being mindful of the larger safety concerns of residents. Environmentalists however want to know L&T’s exact plan for building a surveillance system and the kind of construction that will be carried out inside Aarey Colony. “The company is yet to reveal the exact nature of construction work, which is a major concern because if the plan includes building a surveillance station or cutting trees, that is something that we have to watch out for,” said an environmentalist.

A Dahisar resident too has moved an application in front of the bench to allow him deconstruct and rebuild his personal property inside Aarey Colony. As of now, construction work in Aarey Colony is on hold due to status quo maintained by NGT post NGO Vanashakti filing a petition to declare Aarey Colony a ‘eco-sensitive zone’.

Meanwhile, principal secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) has been summoned by NGT for the next hearing on a PIL filed by Vanashakti on pollutants affecting the Ulhas river. MoEF was earlier asked to file a report within 15 days about action taken to prevent pollution of the river. However, it failed to do so. The ministry has now been summoned for the hearing to know its plan of action against failure of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to prevent pollution of the river. Sources confirmed that NGT has issued strict warning to the principal secretary to attend the meeting else face legal action or a fine imposed by the bench in case the department fails to address questions raised by the tribune.