Bombay HC threatens to stall Metro projects

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has warned the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) officials that it would take strict action against them and stall all Metro projects as they are not complying with time restrictions imposed by the court.  This was posing to be a nuisance for locals and residents. The court also said that it would not hesitate to send MMRCL officials behind bars if they kept flouting court orders.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak were hearing the submissions of the petitioners and Amicus Curiae, appointed to assist the court in ascertaining the veracity of the claims of petitioners. The petitioners had complained of inconvenience due to work on the Metro 3 line.

The petitioners and the Amicus informed the court that despite its August order on time restrictions from 10 am to 6 pm, work on the project continued till much later. The petitioners also said that they had video recordings of work going on beyond the stipulated time and were willing to submit it in court.  

While responding to the complaints, MMRCL counsel assured the court that it would be issuing directions to its officials to refrain from working beyond the time limit, at which point the Chief Justice demanded to know the names of the officers who were responsible for flouting court orders. “We have been polite with you (MMRCL), but  do not compel us to pass stringent orders. If the need arises, we can pass orders stopping all Metro construction work. If your officers breach our orders, serious consequences will follow, and they will have to go behind bars,” the bench warned. The court also directed the MMRCL to ensure that the construction activity did not flout the prescribed noise pollution norms for the city too.