Mohta's Barisha project under PIL cloud

THE PETITIONERS - LOCAL RESIDENTS OF THE AREA- MADE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT, INCLUDING THAT IT HAD COVERED UP WATER BODIES.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Smita Das De has issued notice to Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the Block and Land Reforms Officer, Behala and the Airports Authority of India on a public interest litigation seeking to stop all construction at the Merlin Avana project promoted by builder Sushil Mohta in the city's Barisha area.

The government authorities have been asked to file their responses on affidavit within four weeks.

The notices were issued on Wednesday after the petitioners - local residents of the area - made serious allegations about the project, including that it had covered up water bodies, and that it had been granted sanction for construction of seven towers when it had obtained clearance from the Airports Authority of India for only four towers.