HC upholds Lavasa stop-work order

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday backed the Indian Environment Ministry’s stop-work notice on the high profile Lavasa township project near Pune.

The Ministry had reinstated its stop-work notice on Dec. 14 after the Court had stayed it on Dec. 7, asking it to give a hearing to the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) group-backed Lavasa Corporation.

The company had to stop work on its USD 31 billion township being developed 60 km from Pune after the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests had slammed it for not obtaining a clearance as per the Environment Protection Act.

In a showcause notice, dated Nov. 25, 2010, the Ministry had asked why certain structures built after 2004 should not be razed and had ordered a stay on all construction. Lavasa had challenged the notice and the stay order in the Bombay High Court.

The final verdict is due by Jan. 10 and the Court on Wednesday asked the ministry to send a team to visit the Lavasa site for three days before passing the order.

The court has also asked the Maharashtra government to see if it can form a committee to study the disputed issues.