The High Court has permitted the State government to construct ponds for rainwater harvesting and establish an eco-park on the land recovered from a private club in a metropolitan area. The State government had cancelled the lease granted to the club for the land and initiated steps to implement a project on the reclaimed 118-acre site. The project includes developing an eco-park for public use and constructing four ponds for rainwater harvesting.

Opposing these initiatives and challenging the cancellation of the land lease, the club administration filed a case before the High Court. A single judge had earlier ordered that the present status of the land should be maintained. When the State government appealed against this interim order, a division bench observed that four ponds had already been constructed in the area as a flood mitigation measure. The bench therefore granted permission to establish additional ponds and develop the eco-park on the recovered land.

Referring to the damage caused by earlier floods in the city, the judges noted that such public welfare projects are essential. They also stated that the government’s plan would help maintain ecological balance and reduce air pollution, emphasizing that air pollution is a public health concern.

Highlighting the scarcity of land in metropolitan areas, the judges remarked that allowing private entities to use government land for personal benefit would undermine public trust. Accordingly, the division bench set aside the earlier interim order and issued directions allowing the projects to proceed.

https://www.livehomes.in/news_letter