Kolkata: The HC division be-nch of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shampa Sarkar directed the state to provide timelines for completion of key projects, including the multi-modal transport hub at Esplanade, the Santragachhi bus stand, and the Bandstand bus stand. The PIL filed by activist Subhas Datta raised concerns over the deterioration of Victoria Memorial Hall due to pollution.
The court said the projects were crucial for mitigating the environmental impact. This was important as construction of the Esplanade station for Joka-Esplanade Metro needs temporary relocation of the L20 bus terminus from Curzon Park for four years. The KMC report highlighted use of fossil fuel by Maidan clubs within a 3-km radius of the heritage site. The court directed KMC to sensitise clubs and take steps to ensure a transition to clean fuel. The court asked for a comprehensive update on compliance and punitive action against defaulters by the next hearing.
Learning that parking licence from a 2014-2015 tender process had been extended repeatedly, the court told KMC to finalise a new tender by March 31, failing which, no parking fee could be taken from April 1.