Supreme Court seeks Centre's reply on petition challenging tree felling for pipeline project in Maharashtra

Supreme Court seeks response from the Centre and Maharashtra government regarding permission granted to BPCL to cut trees in Chembur for pipeline laying. An environment activist has challenged this permission, alleging destruction of mangroves. The court has asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to respond to the plea.

The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Centre and the Maharashtra government on a plea against the permission granted to the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for cutting of 11,600 trees to lay underground pipelines from its refinery in Chembur to Raigad.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to respond on the plea.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioner, alleged that the mangroves were being destroyed.

Mehta opposed the plea and said he would seek instructions and get back to the court.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by environment activist Zoru Bhathena challenging an order of the Bombay High Court which dismissed his plea against cutting off trees for BPCL to lay underground pipelines from Mahul in Chembur to Rasayani in Raigad district.

The high court had said expert bodies have applied their mind before granting approval and this court will not sit in appeal over the expert body.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)