The Supreme Court Today (Feb 28) strongly criticized Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage for allowing Jal Mahal Lake to be polluted, questioning how Jaipur can be a ‘Smart City’ while damaging its heritage. The Court ordered a halt to all development near the lake until an expert report is received.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India strongly criticized Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage on Friday for not taking care of Jal Mahal Lake and allowing it to become polluted.
A Bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan instructed the municipal body to appoint the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to prepare a detailed report. The report should include urgent steps to stop pollution in the lake and long-term plans for restoring and preserving it.
“We wonder how city of Jaipur will become ‘smart’ by damaging Jal Mahal lake beyond repair,”
-the Court said.
This comment came after the Court saw the municipal commissioner attending the hearing online, with the words “Smart City“ written in the background.
The case was related to Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage’s petition against a 2023 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT had ruled that the municipal body must obtain environmental clearances before allowing a night market or any other activities near the lake.
The NGT had also directed the authorities to make sure that no activities take place that violate the notification issued regarding the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Eco-Sensitive Zone.
The Supreme Court noted that Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage’s negligence and unlawful actions have completely destroyed Jal Mahal Lake.
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“Night market was allowed to operate in the vicinity …. dirty sewage water released into lake.. waste material of a corporation was also released, due to which water has been completely contaminated,”
-the Court observed.
The Court further stated that the so-called development project had nothing to do with the restoration and preservation of Jal Mahal Lake.
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Therefore, the Supreme Court ordered that:
- Authorities must not proceed with the development project until NEERI’s recommendations are received.
- Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage should ensure that no vending or market activities take place near Jal Mahal Lake.
The next hearing for this case will be on March 24.
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