The Supreme Court on Monday strongly criticised the West Bengal government for delaying the construction of the Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line and rejected its request to postpone the work.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, made it clear that the project cannot be stalled for political or administrative reasons. “Do not politicize everything.. this is a development issue,” the bench said.
The case relates to a 366-metre stretch between Beleghata and Gour Kishore Ghosh stations, where work has been stalled due to the state’s failure to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The delay was challenged in a Public Interest Litigation filed by activist Upamanyu Bhattacharya, who termed it “deliberate and unjustified.”
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Court rejects state’s delay plea
The West Bengal government had approached the Supreme Court against a Calcutta High Court order dated December 23, which directed that the Metro work at Chingrighata crossing be completed by February 15. The state cited upcoming assembly elections and sought time until May.
However, the Supreme Court refused to accept this reasoning. “This was a project that started much before the model code of conduct came into effect,” the bench noted, adding that elections cannot be used as an excuse to halt development work.
The court also criticised the state for citing festivals as a reason for not providing police support and traffic management. “For you, festivals are more important than creating an arterial transport line,” the bench observed.
Sharp observations on ‘inaction’
The bench said the state was “duty-bound” to comply with the High Court’s directions and accused it of failing in its constitutional responsibilities. “The facts show complete abdication of your constitutional duty. You are unnecessarily trying to politicise the issue,” it said.
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Nandini Sen Mukherjee, who appeared for the state, said that the ongoing work will hassle the public. She said that this stretch of the city is vital, serving as a green corridor for ambulances and organ transplant vehicles.
Despite this, the court remained firm. It also noted that the High Court had been “very magnanimous” so far and hinted that action could have been taken against senior officials, including the chief secretary and director general of police.
The Supreme Court refused to allow the state to withdraw its plea and permitted the High Court to take necessary steps to ensure its earlier order is implemented. A contempt petition against state officials is already pending before the High Court.
