Court cannot examine correctness of route for metro line, says Karnataka HC

Stating that it is for the authorities concerned to determine the route for metro rail, the High Court of Karnataka has declined to examine the issue raised in a PIL petition about correctness of changing the route of the proposed Orange line metro, between Kempapura in Hebbal and J.P. Nagar 4th phase, to pass through Nagarbhavi Circle.

“We do not consider it apposite to entertain a public interest litigation for examining the route of a metro line. It is for the authorities concerned to determine the same. The determination of the route of a metro line would require consideration of various factors including the number of commuters it would serve,” said a Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha.

The Bench passed the order while disposing of the petition filed by Nagarbhavi Property Owners’ and Business Establishments’ Welfare Association.

However, considering that the petitioner has annexed a report (Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment) regarding the impact on the environment, if the metro line passes through the Nagarabhavi Circle as per the present plan, the Bench asked the State, Centre and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation to consider the representation.

Cutting down trees

The association had sought a direction from the court to continue the original plan of constructing metro rail on Outer Ring Road from Dwaraka Nagar station to Chowdeshwari Nagar station, instead of deviating from Nagarabhavi Circle to Summanhalli Cross via Vinayaka Layout, Papireddypalya and Nagarbhavi BDA complex, which causes chopping of more than 600 trees, demolition of residential and commercial buildings.