Shindewadi flash flood deaths: 2 yrs on, NGT slaps fine on builders, NHAI

The NGT bench comprising Justice VR Kingaonkar and Dr Ajay Deshpande asked the builder, Kishanrao Rathod and Pandit Dhavji Rathod, as well as Director General (Road department) of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to pay the compensation in four weeks. The tribunal has directed the Pune district collector to publish a notice for locating the legal heir.

The tribunal also held the builders and the NHAI responsible for illegal hill cutting and asked them to pay Rs 50 lakh for causing environmental damage in the nearby area of Katraj. The amount, to be deposited with the Pune district collector within six weeks, will be spent for environmental protection and conservation in the district.

The NGT also asked them to deposit an additional Rs 10 lakh with the collector’s office for plantation of trees.
All the respondents, which included Pune’s collector, divisional commissioner and civic chiefs, have been asked to direct revenue officials to watch out for any unauthorised construction near any hill or hill-top. The tribunal has also instructed municipal authorities to ensure no permission is given to any construction within a distance of 100 feet from the lowest slope or incline of any hill within their territorial limits as well as hill-tops.

The bench, however, said hill-cutting could be allowed by the office of the collector or commissioner by passing reasoned order under the Environment Protection Act and the related regulations.