Over 150 two-wheelers gutted in fire at Varanasi's Cantt railway station
Varanasi (UP) (PTI): Over 150 two-wheelers were destroyed in a fire that broke out at a parking stand in Varanasi's Cantt railway station, officials said on Saturday.
There were no reports of any casualties.
The incident took place on Friday night when the fire erupted near the platform one parking stand, according to railway officials.
Upon receiving information about the incident, teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) along with the fire department rushed to the spot to douse the flames, they said.
The blaze was brought under control but over 150 vehicles were reduced to ashes, they added.
Additional Divisional Railway Manager Lalji Chaudhary expressed regret over the incident.
He said that the parking stand was set up for railway employees and because of the fire there has been a lot of damage.
There has been no loss of life of any kind in the fire, Chaudhary said, adding that a committee has been formed to investigate the matter.
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
