Will ministry of environment and forests allow partial constructions in Lavasa, asks Bombay high court

The Bombay high court today asked the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) whether it was willing to allow constructions to resume in some places at Lavasa hill station, pending the show-cause notice issued to Lavasa Corporation.

The MoEF issued notice to Lavasa Corp on November 25, asking why the corporation did not obtain environmental clearances from the ministry. It also asked the company to stop construction activity at its proposed hill station in Mulshi taluka of Pune district, pending the notice.

Lavasa has challenged both the showcause notice as well as stay to the work. Last week, upon high court's directions, MoEF gave a hearing to Lavasa, as to whether stay to construction was necessary.

But after hearing the corporation, MoEF has not changed its stand on the stay.

Lavasa's lawyer today alleged that while notice was issued by Bharat Bhushan, a director in MoEF, another officer, Nalini Bhat presided over the hearing. MoEF lawyer, Darius Khambata conceded that it was an "avoidable error".

Khambata further said that MoEF was ready to conclude hearing on main show-cause notice within two weeks.

The high court, however, said that ministry may take two months, but it may also consider whether it could allow corporation to resume construction in cases where "least environmental damage" may be caused, or where damage caused may be "retrievable".

As Khambata sought time to take instructions, hearing was adjourned to December 21.