The Madras High Court Bench here on Thursday restrained the Centre from permitting commencement of research work at the proposed India based Neutrino Observatory (INO) at Pottipuram village in Theni district without obtaining environmental clearance from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and adhering to other mandatory rules.
A Division Bench of Justices S. Tamilvanan and V.S. Ravi passed the interim injunction on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed and argued in person by Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko who apprehended damage to the environment if a tunnel was dug on the West Bodi hills to set up the underground observatory.
The judges had reserved their orders in the case on March 5 after hearing arguments advanced by Mr. Vaiko and Assistant Solicitor General G.R. Swaminathan who had categorically stated that the construction work for the project would begin only in the next financial year after obtaining clearance from the TNPCB and other statutory agencies.
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In a counter affidavit filed on behalf of the Centre, Sekhar Basu, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, also said: “Since financial sanction for the establishment of INO at an estimated cost of Rs.1,584 crore has been accorded just now, the drawings and other civil engineering related paper work will now be taken up in right earnest and placed for consideration before the TNPCB.” On its part, the TNPCB informed the court that it was mandatory to obtain its consent under the Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974 and Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1981 before establishing or operating such projects.