In a major setback to the ongoing smart city projects, the Karnataka High court passed a status quo order on all the activities In the vaccine depot.
In Public interest litigation filed by Adv Kiran Kulkarni and Satish Biradar on behalf of Rajeev Toppannavar and other members of Save Vaccine depot organization.
The PIL came up for hearing before Chief Justice Shri Abhay Oka and Justice Suraj Govindraj.
The High court granted the interim stay and issued notices to all the parties. The Petitioners had opposed the construction activities in Vaccine Depot carried out by smart city limited.
The Petitioners last week had submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner to stop the constructions activities and tree cutting being carried out in the name of the Smart City Project.
However, the development activities continued and therefore, the Petitioners approached the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka by filing Public interest litigation.
They sought to retain Vaccine Depot as Botanical Garden as per order dated 6/7/2009 passed by the Government of Karnataka. They also prayed to stop construction activities, excavation, demolition, and cutting of trees.
Issue notice to the respondents returnable on 13th August 2021. The learned Additional Government Advocate takes notice for the first, second, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respondents. By way of an ad-interim relief we direct that the present status of the vaccine depot shall not be altered. Needless to add that as the present status has to be maintained, there shall not be any cutting of trees on the subject land.
The next date of hearing is 13/8/21
the HC verdict is a blessing to the beautiful city of Belgaum.
Vaccine Depot is an essential part of the eco-system of Belgaum, maintaining its climate, its atmosphere and its biodiversity. In fact, as the city develops we should have more such forested areas before developing residential colonies.
In view of the Corona epidemic spreading over the world, and anticipating new epidemics in future, it is necessary that we maintain the existing Vaccine depot and its precincts for emergency use to develop vaccines in isolation . The area should not be tampered in the name of ‘development’. We owe this to our future generations.
Timely & Good judgement pronounced by he learned judges. All For the good of the citizens of Belagavi…..
I am overjoyed n Applaud d Action/verdict by HC. I Comiment Appreciate d Team members who filed PIL on behalf of hundreds like me who Share dSame Sentiments. We Support Them. The Vacine Depot is Lungs of Belgaum. They have Fauna n Flora . We spy birds like Grey Hornbill, American Robin, Kingfisher Beeeaters, Starlings, peacocks n More. Please leave Vaccine Depot Alone.