HC notice to PGCIL after PIL on environmental degradation

Ahmedabad, Feb 11 (PTI) The Gujarat High Court todayissued notice to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited(PGCIL), state and Union governments while hearing a publicinterest litigation (PIL) alleging environmental degradationby the company in the Wild Ass Sanctuary region of Kutch.

The division bench of Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhayaand Justice Akil Kureshi issued the notices while hearing PILby people of Cheravadi, a coastal village in Bhachau taluka ofKutch district.

The PGCIL, state and Union governments have been askedto file reply by March 14 when the next hearing is scheduled.

In the PIL, villagers of Cheravadi have challengedaction of PGCIL of blocking Surajbari creek with wastage ofconstruction material left over after setting up transmissiontowers in the creek.

They have sought directions for PGCIL to removebunding of Surajbari creek at village Cheravadi.

They have also demanded that PGCIL pay costs ofpollution and environmental degradation caused due to theiractions in Surajbari creek and Cheravadi sub-creek.

PIL has sought direction from court for PGCIL toget Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance from Uniongovernment for setting up transmission towers. .