Samarjit Bhattacharjee vs State Of Tripura And Ors

Akil Kureshi, CJ

In this petition in the nature of public interest litigation the petitioner has taken up the cause of proper maintenance and the preservation of Kumaritilla Lake situated in the city of Agartala. The petition was instituted making allegations that the said lake is in bizarre because of illegal dumping of garbage and sewerage. Urgent steps were needed to restore an important water body which would also provide a place for recreation and relaxation for the citizens of the city.

The Court had taken cognizance of such grievances of the petitioner and issued directions from time to time. It is not necessary to refer to all such orders. Suffice it would record that under an order dated 21.05.2019 this Court had issued directions to respondent No.6, Member Secretary, Tripura State Pollution Control Board to visit the site and take appropriate steps for proper maintenance of the place. These directions were carried out. Subsequent orders were passed particularly one dated 30.05.2019 in which further directions were issued. In an order dated 20.11.2019 it was recorded that the committee constituted by the Court had submitted its latest report dated 19.11.2019 which shows considerable progress having been made in cleaning up the lake and the restoration work. It was provided that the members of the committee would visit the site after 8(eight) weeks and submit the report before 05.02.2020. Consequently, the latest of the report of the committee dated 03.02.2020 has been placed on record. Point-wise implementation status on the recommendations made by the committee has been stated. Photographs of the site before and after the restoration work have also been produced. Perusal of such materials would show that satisfactory work has been carried out for restoration and maintenance of the lake. Learned counsel for the petitioner also agreed that the work carried out by the respondents is to the expected level.

This public interest petition has thus achieved its purpose. The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) would continue to keep up the maintenance work. We appreciate the efforts put in by the public interest petitioner as well as Sri Manas Mukherjee, Member Secretary, Tripura State Pollution Control Board, Sri Mangal Debbarma, Addl. Government Advocate and Ms. Rajashree Purkayastha, learned advocates who were deputed by this Court as members of the said committee.

With these remarks, this petition is closed.