NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning alleged irregularities in road expansion work along the Verna highway, observing that the petitioner had not approached the authorities concerned first before moving the court.
It observed that although the issue raised in the writ petition was of significant public importance and would ordinarily require due consideration by the authorities, the petitioner had not submitted any representation or complaint before the competent authorities highlighting the alleged irregularities, so as to enable them to initiate suitable action, if required.
By filing the PIL, petitioner Moses Pinto sought urgent judicial intervention regarding alleged unscientific and ecologically destructive road expansion and earthwork activities along the Verna highway.
According to the petitioner, the activities were causing irreversible disruption to wildlife habitats, migratory avian feeding grounds and the hydrological balance of the area, adversely affecting ecological food chains and violating the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed under Articles 21, 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution of India.
The HC disposed of the petition by granting liberty to the petitioner to submit an appropriate representation before the competent authorities seeking intervention. The court directed that if such a representation is submitted within two weeks, the authorities concerned shall examine it and take such action as deemed necessary. If the petitioner remains aggrieved thereafter, he may approach the court again in accordance with law.
Opposing the petition, Maria Correia, Additional Government Advocate, submitted that the allegations were untrue, as no construction of any highway was being undertaken beyond land lawfully acquired.
