HC okays Digha, Shankarpur civic bodies' demolition drive

Kolkata, Nov 15 (UNI) A two-judge bench of Calcutta High court today asked two civic authorities to go ahead with demolition drive against unauhorised construction in sea beaches of Shakarpur and Digha in West Bengal's East Midnapur district.

The Division Bench comprising justices Bhaskar Bhattacharya and P Banerjee issued direction on a petition filed by hotel owners in two sea resorts challenging the move of the civic authorities, Digha and Shankarpur development authorities had of late launched the demolition drive against unauthorised structures.

West Bengal Pollution Control Board and many environment activists have expressed concern over the unplanned growth along the coastline in two beach resorts. They feared the hapazard construction could adversely affect the fragile ecology of Digha and Shankarpur, which were facing tremendous erosion.

The government had sought for its expertise to save the beach from going into oblivion.

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