Supreme Court notice to Bengaluru builders

Taking note of the recent floods and over flow of waterbodies in Bengaluru, the Supreme Court on Monday asked all the builders in the buffer zones of the city’s lakes and wetlands to push back their projects by 75 metres from the edge of these waterbodies. The court refused to stay the demolitions initiated by the local authority there to open up drains discharging excess water from lakes to prevent a repeat of the recent deluge.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur, and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, also directed that no construction activity be carried out for now in all such cases. But the bench stayed the fine amounts imposed on one builder by the National Green Tribunal.

The NGT had in an order passed on May 4, 2016, increased the buffer zone to be maintained as green zones around wetlands and lakes from 30 metres to 75 metres from the edge of the water body.

The apex court had entertained the appeal and stayed the fine. On Monday, Coremind Software Services Private Limited, appealed against the NGT order and sought similar relief.

The Foundation submitted that the company had 22 acres but was unwilling to push back its walls by 75 metres.