HC refuses to stall Metro work near Lalbagh

The division bench comprising Justice V Gopala Gowda and Justice Ravi Malimath has observed that the metro project being initiated to ease the traffic congestion in the City is in the larger interest of the public and cannot be stopped at the instance of these petitioners.
Prior permission
In the earlier direction, the Court had directed the BMRCL to take prior permission from the tree officer of BBMP before felling in the Lalbagh areas. But now, the court has refused a stay in the matter.
During the hearing, Advocate General, Udaya Holla in his submission said that metro rail project will also protect the environment in the City.
“After completion of the project we will save more than 7 lakh litres of fossil fuel in a day and will save Rs 824 crores annually, which would have been spent on import of fuel.”
Rocky terrain
On the submission of the petitioner that the project would have been completely underground, the Advocate General said that it would have been difficult as nearly 50 percent of the City is situated on a rocky terrain. The Bench sought to know whether any rehabilitations have been provided to those who have displaced during the implementation of the project.
 The court also sought to know about the fate of the BMTC employees, if eight lakhs vehicles will be off the road after the metro project is completed.