The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Suburban District Collector to conduct inspection and submit a report regarding alleged illegal excavation of a hill, which has several hutments, and clearing of trees in suburban Vikhroli.
A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M S Sonak yesterday expressed anguish at Maharashtra government's apathy towards adressing the issue raised in a public interest litigation raising concerns over the possibility of a landslide due to the illegal excavation.
The PIL filed by city-based NGO Janseva Vikas Samiti alleged that a private builder had illegally excavated a hill and cut trees in Vikhroli Parksite area. According to the petitioner, there are around five thousand huts in the vicinity of the hill. If the developer continues with the alleged illegal work, there are chances of landslides.
Advocate Geeta Shastri, appearing for the government, yesterday informed the court that excavation work has been stopped.
"It has been stopped after this petition was filed and after the court interfered ? If it was illegal or not safe why was permission given in the first place. What if some untoward incident occurs ?" Chief Justice Chellur said.
"The concerned Collector shall go personally and inspect the place and see how much excavation has been carried out and also look into the safety concerns raised in the petition. The collector shall submit a report before this court," the court directed and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks.
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