Judgement of the Supreme Court of India regarding construction of a multi-storey residential complex on the eastern bank of Chilavannurkayal (backwaters) in Kerala, 10/01/2018

Judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Kerala State Coastal Management Authority Vs DLF Universal Limited & Others dated 10/01/2018 regarding construction of a multi-storey residential complex on the eastern bank of Chilavannurkayal (backwaters) in Kerala. Supreme Court directs that in future, wherever permissions are required to come and are to be obtained before commencement of construction, it would be no answer that activity can be carried on without obtaining the permissions. Simultaneously, the permissions itself are envisaged in a time bound schedule and not through improvement of cases by authorities running into years. Thus, from the inception itself, there should be clarity on what is permissible and what is not.

Apex Court sustains the fine of Rs.1 crore on DLF Universal Limited with the direction for strict adherence to the norms in future and avoidance of contradictions by the authorities. This amount is to be deposited before the District Collector, Ernakulam to be kept in a separate account for being used exclusively for building up the environment, maintaining ecological balance in the area situated on the eastern side of the Chilavannur river, with a further direction to the District Collector to submit periodic reports before the Court as to the utilisation of the amount for the activities undertaken, in every six months.

Attachment(s):