The High Court of Karnataka on Friday directed the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority to clear encroachments at the heritage site, excluding in the Virupapura Gadde area, as the issue relating to inclusion of this area under heritage site is pending before the Supreme Court.
A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Malimath passed the order while disposing of a public interest litigation petition filed by Sri Kotturswamy Kalyana Kendra, Ballari, and others.
Meanwhile, the Bench allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to put up temporary structures in the area for the purposes of renovation and maintenance works.
Apart from complaining about encroachments and illegal constructions in the heritage site, the petitioner, in a petition filed in 2009, had sought directions for setting up committees to curb illegal activities, such as sale of narcotics, in Hampi.
Train to Mangaluru
In another case, the Bench ordered issue of notice to the Commissioner of Railway Safety for not introducing a daily express train service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru as announced in the 2014 Railway Budget.
During an earlier hearing on the PIL petition, filed by Railway Yatri Sangha, Udupi, the court had sought the views of Indian Railways.
The Railways replied that the Railway Safety Commissioner had pointed out that the single track on the Shiradi Ghat section does not support running of a second train.
The Bench questioned the sanctity of announcements made by the Railway Minister on the floor of Parliament if they were not to be executed by officers.
To which, the counsel for the Railways clarified that starting the service was subject to clearance of the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
The order excludes Virupapura Gadde area
