Balancing Development with Ecology: Supreme Court's Take on PILs

The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of balancing development and ecological preservation, questioning why public interest litigations (PILs) frequently arise during infrastructure projects. This dialogue occurred amidst discussions on a railway project in Goa, dismissed by a lower court, with concerns raised over ecological impacts and compliance with norms.

The Supreme Court underscored the necessity of marrying development with ecological sustainability on Friday, questioning the frequent filing of public interest litigations (PILs) against infrastructure projects like highways.

This came up during proceedings on a petition regarding the doubling of railway tracks between Vasco Da Gama and Kulem in Goa. A bench, including Justices Surya Kant and R Mahadevan, noted the inexplicable trend of such petitions in India.

The bench highlighted the global norm of railway infrastructure in tourist areas, referencing the Alps, and emphasized that the Goa project, aligning with international standards, would enhance the state’s rail network and alleviate road transport burdens.