Lavasa violating HC order, says Medha Patkar

National convener of National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), Medha Patkar, alleged that the Lavasa Corporation is carrying out work in Dasve and Mugaon inspite of Bombay high court (HC) issuing a stop work order two years ago. On their part, the Lavasa Corporation denied the allegations claiming them to be ‘baseless’. Patkar was speaking to the media persons in Pune on Friday against the backdrop of a meeting called by the Lokshahi Andolan.

“Since the past two months, the corporation has started work in the lake and the catchment area. Also, they have started work on a helipad in Mugaon, which is contravening the court’s order,’’ she said. She said that NAPM would be submitting the photographs of the work being undertaken, to the HC.

Patkar, along with a large number of project affected villagers, had held a meeting with district collector Vikas Deshmukh and officers of Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) to discuss the issues related to returning land of the villagers.

In an official communique issued later in the night, the Lavasa Corporation said,  “The Bombay High Court has not issued any restraining order on construction at Lavasa project site. The construction at site is resumed after the Ministry of Environment granted clearance. The allegation is baseless and without an iota of proof.’’