What would have been our country's fate, if judiciary was not pro-active. From admission to submission, countrymen depend on judiciary and have more faith in it than the public representatives. Every time our law makers cheat public , judiciary comes to help. Had it not been judiciary, most of the public interests would have been compromised by the law makers. The Rs 1,800-crore Tata Camelot Housing Colony (Camelot) is the latest case in point.
It was meant for the luxury and comforts of Punjab present and ex-law makers and was proposed to be developed by the Tata Housing Development Company Limited near Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. The project was cleared by the Punjab govt in a haste despite strong objection from environmentalists. For all intent and purposes, the project hugely violated the environmental norms. Yet, Punjab govt didn't bother. As such Supreme Court has scrapped the project on the ground that it was against permissible norms.
This housing camelot was to be built in Kansal village of Kharar tehsil in Mohali district, just at a distance of 123 metres from the northern side and 183 metres from the eastern side from the wildlife sanctuary near Sukhna lake. It also falls within catchment area of Sukhna lake, the pride of Chandigarh where all ministers including chief minister, law makers and Punjab leaders live.
The apex court has indicted the state administration for violating the public trust observing, “The court has to perform its duty in such a scenario when the authorities have failed to protect the wildlife sanctuary eco-sensitive zone.”
As the court observed." origination of the project itself indicates that the State of Punjab was not acting in furtherance of Doctrine of Public Trust". It was only meant for benefiting 95 MLAs with luxurious flats. Public interest was at receiving end.
Delhi High Court’s April 12, 2017, had set aside the permission granted by Nagar Panchayat Naya Gaon for the construction of the project. Court also quashed the Environmental Clearance dated September 17, 2013 granted by SEIAA, Punjab, for development of the project proposed.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the permissibly of the housing project on grounds that it violated the Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952 and was not authorized under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as it was in an eco-sensitive zone and protected area.
A Division Bench had on March 26, 2012, allowed the project to go on subject to grant of relevant permissions, clearances and approvals, The order was challenged in the Supreme Court. In 2014, Supreme Court had set aside the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s March 26, 2012, order.
This housing project at Kansal village near Chandigarh was seen as a big threat to the Capitol Complex,a UNESCO world heritage site. It will also save Sukhna Lake,the hotbed of illegal construction activities.
As law makers from all political parties were to be benefited from this project, there was, literally, no voice against this project. Our leaders become deaf and dumb when their vested interests are involved. Its shameful for democracy.