Bilaspur. The High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the construction of a depot for the maintenance of Vande Bharat trains and cutting of lush green trees for the work of a new line in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh. The hearing was held in the double bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Kumar Sinha and Justice Vibhu Dutta Guru.
Expressing displeasure over the cutting of trees, the Chief Justice asked the railway officials whether they have any concern about environmental protection or not. The Chief Justice asked whether the Railways had any expertise in cutting the trees. It is noteworthy that a depot is being constructed for the maintenance of Vande Bharat trains.
Where the Railways decided to build a depot, there was complete greenery. Railway officials wrote a letter to the Forest Department on 14 May 2024 for cutting 242 trees for the construction. Forest department officers started taking action to prepare permission and estimate of felling. Before that, without the permission of the forest department, the railway officials also played the game of shifting trees and then started cutting them.
Instructions to reply with affidavit
Taking seriously the cutting of 242 green trees by the Railways, the Chief Justice had registered it as a PIL and directed it to the Registrar General. During the hearing last Friday, the Chief Justice expressed his displeasure and asked the state government and railway officials why such work was done without permission? The angry Chief Justice has asked the railway officials and the state government to respond with an affidavit in this regard.
Source : palpalindia
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