Tata's Housing Project in Chandigarh Falls Under Seismic Zone, HC told

Tata's Housing Project in Chandigarh Falls Under Seismic Zone, HC told

By PTI   |   Monday, August 25, 2014

NEW DELHI : The multi-crore rupees Tata Camelot Housing project near Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh falls within the area which is ecologically sensitive and "prone to seismic activity", the Delhi high court was told on Thursday.A bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw is hearing two PILs, earlier dealt with by the Punjab Haryana high court, transferred to it by the Supreme Court.

"Around 2,000 flats will have a population more than the village 'Naya Gaon Panchyat' in the area and will have impact on the natural resources..."The area falls near the foothill of the Shivalik range of mountains and the entire area is prone to seismic activity," Additional solicitor general P S Patwalia said.During the hearing, the court asked whether the dispute pertains to two different states — that is Punjab and Union Territory Chandigarh — and if the answer is 'yes', then the apex court only will have the jurisdiction.

The ASG said certain issues pertained to the dispute between two states.Former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Tata, however, differed with the view of the ASG.The court, which has been asked by the Supreme Court to conclude the hearing by August 31, will resume it tomorrow.The apex court had earlier stayed the ambitious housing project by reversing the go-ahead granted to it by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The High Court had earlier issued notices to the ministry of environment and forests, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chandigarh administration and the Tata Camelot Housing Colony on the PILs filed by Alok Jagga and Sarin Memorial Legal Aid Foundation respectively.'TATA Camelot' is a Rs 1,800-crore building project having 92,100 flats in 19 towers, ranging between 12 and 35 storeys and is slated to be raised on 53.39 acres of land near the Chandigarh Capitol Complex.

The project allegedly falls in the catchment area of Sukhna Lake in Union Territory of Chandigarh.


 

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