NGT slaps Rs 5L cost on Mantri Techzone for lake buffer zone violation

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday slapped a cost of Rs 5 lakh on real estate developer Mantri Techzone Pvt Ltd for failing to file a compliance report on its orders for maintaining a buffer zone around Agara and Bellandur lakes in Bengaluru.  

The green bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim asked the developer to deposit the cost and explain by March 20 as to why the compliance report was not filed.  

Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, representing the NGO Namma Bengaluru Foundation, pointed out that the developer had not filed a report showing compliance with the NGT's directions issued on May 4, 2016.  

The bench then ordered the managing director of Mantri Techzone to be present at the next date of hearing.  

On May 4, 2016, the  NGT's principal bench had directed that a buffer zone and green belt of 75 metres be maintained in case of lakes, 50 metres for primary, 35 metres for secondary and 25 metres for tertiary rajkuleves (stormwater drains).