HC stays Karwar port expansion

Karwar: The Karnataka High Court has issued a stay order on the second phase works being undertaken in the expansion of the Karwar port and directed the state government to maintain the status quo.

The port is undergoing expansion under the central government’s ambitious ‘Sagarmala’ project for the upgradation of India’s port infrastructure.

A division bench of the Court ordered the stay while hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Baithkol Bandaru Nirashtritara Yantrika Dhoni Meenugarara Sahakara Sangha.

The Court also ordered the state government to demolish a road built on the beach and issued notices to the respondents: Karnataka Coastal Development Authority; Public Works, Ports & Inland Water Transport Department; Deputy Commissioner of Karwar and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and asked them to submit their objections if any.