The petitioners, who claim to be social activists, have instituted this petition in the public interest under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the resolution/proposal which has been passed/approved by respondent ...
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A.F.R.
Reserved
Case :- PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 41434 of 2015
Petitioner :- Sandeep Pandey And Another
Respondent :- State of U.P. And 5 Others
Counsel for Petitioner :- Rahul Mishra
Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C, Shashi Nandan, Sr. Adv., Anoop
Trivedi, Anil Tiwari, Shivam Yadav,
Hon'ble Dilip B Bhosale, Chief Justice
Hon'ble Yashwant Varma, J.
Rule.
Heard forthwith by consent of learned counsel for the parties.
The petitioners, who claim to be social activists, have instituted
this petition in the public interest under Article 226 of the Constitution
of India, challenging the resolution/proposal which has been
passed/approved by respondent no. 4-Kanpur Development Authority
(for short “KDA”) in its 112
th
Board meeting dated 14.10.2014. By this
resolution, KDA have decided to construct an underground parking in
Phoolbagh, which, according to the petitioners, is contrary to and in
defiance of the judgement of this Court dated 12.9.2014 rendered in
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 42083 of 2014. The petitioners
have also made consequential prayers in the PIL.
PIL No. 42083 of 2014 was also filed by the petitioners,
challenging the validity of a decision of KDA to construct an
underground car parking area for 680 cars in the lower basement with a
shopping complex of 150 shops in the upper basement in a portion of
Phoolbagh park at Kanpur. The challenge was on the ground that the
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construction of an underground shopping complex and car parking in
an area reserved for a park under the Master Plan is unlawful. The
project, that was under challenge in the said PIL, envisaged the
construction of an underground multilevel car parking facility of
between 7000 to 8000 sq. meters and a shopping complex of 150 shops
in the upper basement with a facility of providing for the parking of
680 cars in the lower basement, in addition to which, surface parking
of 200 cars. The terrace garden was also envisaged over and around the
central area where construction was to be carried.
In this backdrop, the issue which the Division Bench addressed
was whether the construction of an underground shopping complex in
an area which is reserved under the Master Plan as a park would
violate the provisions of the Master Plan. Further, it was considered
whether the construction of 150 shops which was liable to attract a
large number of vehicles of persons who visit the shopping complex
would at all alleviate the problem of traffic congestion outside
Phoolbagh. The Division Bench after considering judgments of the
Supreme Court in Bangalore Medical Trust vs. B.S. Muddappa, AIR
1991 (SC) 1902, G.N. Khajuria vs. Delhi Development Authority,
AIR 1996 SC 253 and M.I. Builders Pvt. Ltd. vs. Radhey Shyam
Sahu, AIR 1999 SC 2468 held that the decision of KDA to construct
an underground shopping complex and car parking in the area of
Phoolbagh was legally impermissible and was contrary to the
provisions of the Master Plan prepared under the U.P. Urban Planning
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and Development Act, 1973 (for short “Act, 1973”). While so
declaring, it was also observed that it would be open to KDA to
conduct a fresh survey on the likely need for a car parking facility in
the area and after a due and proper enquiry and survey, to conceive of a
project involving the provision of a parking facility as an amenity
appurtenant to the park. It was also clarified that the said judgement
would not stand in the way of the Authority in taking necessary
measures for beautification and maintenance of Phoolbagh as a park
without disturbing its integral feature as a recreational open space.
Thereafter, KDA, it appears, conducted a survey and enquiry and
has taken the impugned decision. It further appears that after following
the due procedure, KDA also commenced with the construction of the
underground car parking, providing parking space for 650 cars.
Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned resolution
dated 14.10.2014, the petitioners have filed the instant PIL alleging
that KDA, in the name of survey and enquiry and under the garb of
limited liberty given by this Court in the judgment dated 12.9.2014 in
PIL No. 42083 of 2014, deliberately misread and misinterpreted the
order and commenced the construction of underground parking.
Petitioner no. 2 and the residents of Kanpur city, it is stated in the
petition, submitted objections before KDA which, it appears, have been
shelved by the Authority, inasmuch as it had pre-decided to proceed
with the plan and just covered up with paper formalities. In short,
according to the petitioners, the decision of the respondents, in
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particular KDA, was in contravention and defiance of the order passed
by this Court dated 12.9.2014 in PIL No. 42083 of 2014, inasmuch as
they wilfully misread the limited liberty given by this Court to proceed
with multilevel parking as was originally conceived of by them earlier
and which in unequivocal terms, as held by this Court, legally
impermissible.
The Vice Chairman of KDA has filed counter affidavit denying
all allegations made in the writ petition and has placed on record the
materials including survey report dated 24.9.2015 (Annexure CA-14)
in support of the impugned resolution. It would be relevant to
reproduce paragraphs 37, 39, 41, 42, 44, 53, 54, 76 and 78 to know the
exact stand of the KDA, which read thus:
“37. That further, the tract of land over which the car
parking is now being constructed was a barren piece of land
which was not being utilized for any purpose. It is stated
that neither ecology of the park has been disturbed nor there
would be any change in the nature of park. The multilevel
car parking below the ground level would only add to the
convenience of the visitors to the park and nearby areas.
The said facility is presently a necessity in the city also.
39. That it is stated that the project of underground parking
is being carried out after the survey was conducted under
the directions of this Hon'ble Court. This project has also
included the future possibilities and future inflow of the
persons / vehicles in the park.
41.That it is specifically stated here that the Kanpur
Development Authority has undertaken the beautification
and renovation of the park in question. Various facilities /
amenities are being provided by the Kanpur Development
Authority in the park that would certainly attract a large
crowd to the park. These visitors would certainly require a
big parking lot.
42. That it is specifically stated here that the Kanpur
Development Authority is creating walking track/ path way
3 meters wide about 960 meters, 2.5 meter about 210
meters. This walking track / path way would cover an area
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of 3273 square meters.
44.That the Kanpur Development Authority has further
proposed to construct a separate jogging park of 380 meter
length.
53.That in the meanwhile the officers of the Kanpur
Development Authority started conducting survey which
took three weeks time and the survey report was submitted
and considered in a meeting dated 24.09.2015.
54. That the answering respondent brings on record a true
copy of the survey report conducted by the Kanpur
Development Authority. A true copy of the survey report
dated 24.09.2015 is annexed herewith and marked as
Annexure No. CA-14 to this affidavit.
76. ….In reply it is stated that the answering Development
Authority has merely constructed an underground
multilevel car parking that too without disturbing the
ecology of the park in any manner. It is specifically stated
here that the ground area above the car parking would
remain as a park. It is specifically stated here that no
commercial activity whatsoever is either contemplated or
would be permitted at the site in question.
78. ….However, it is specifically stated here that even after
the construction of underground multilevel car parking the
land above it will be restored in the shape of park and
would not be utilized for any other purpose and the same
will continue to be an integral part of the Ganesh Udyan
that too as a park.”
In reply to the counter affidavit, petitioner no. 2 has filed
rejoinder affidavit and in paragraph 5 thereof stated that “the
development authority have not made any proposal for constructing
parking facility appurtenant to the park but had made the proposal for
constructing multilevel parking in the park itself, considering the need
of the entire city. The proposal was against the Master Plan of the
development authority and even against various judgments of Hon'ble
Supreme Court, which forbade any change in user of park or green
area, contrary to the Master Plan.” The petitioner no. 2, apart from
denying the averments made in the counter affidavit filed on behalf of
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KDA, has also tried to demonstrate as to how the decision of the
construction of an underground parking facility is also contrary to the
provisions of Uttar Pradesh Parks, Playgrounds and Open Spaces
(Preservation and Regulation) Act, 1975 (for short “Parks Act”) and
also against the Master Plan. In short, in the rejoinder affidavit,
petitioner no. 2 once again made an attempt to demonstrate as to how
the construction of underground parking facility in the park is likely to
cause injury to the environment and ecology of the public park.
We have heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned
senior counsel for KDA and other learned counsel appearing for the
remaining respondents at considerable length and with their assistance
perused the entire materials placed on record.
Mr. Rahul Mishra, counsel for the petitioners, at the outset,
submitted that construction of an underground car parking facility in an
area which is reserved under the Master Plan as a park would violate
the provisions of Master Plan. In support of this contention, he placed
heavy reliance upon the judgment of this Court dated 12.9.2014 in PIL
No. 42083 of 2014. He vehemently submitted that the impugned
resolution is not only contrary to and in defiance of the judgment dated
12.9.2014, but going ahead with the proposal for construction of
underground parking facility, would also amount to flouting of the said
order of this Court. In support, he invited our attention to the
conclusion drawn in the judgment dated 12.9.2014, wherein it was held
that “an area reserved in the Master Plan as a park must be used as a
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park and a terrace garden above an underground shopping complex is
no substitute for a park”, as held by the Supreme Court in M.I.
Builders (supra). He submitted, in any case, the construction of an
underground facility for parking of 650 vehicles is not an amenity
associated with the use of the park itself. He then submitted that if the
underground parking lot is built then the park would no longer adhere
to the definition of park under clause (b) of Section 2 of the Parks Act,
1975, which provides for minimum 95% of area should be laid out as a
garden with trees, plants or flower beds or as a lawn or as a meadow
and maintained as a place for the resort of the public for recreation, air
or light. He then submitted that if underground car parking facility is
provided then in that portion of the park, above the parking lot, trees
cannot be planted apart from the fact that number of trees are likely to
be cut for construction of the underground parking facility. He
submitted, the park, which is of historical importance, cannot be
allowed to be destroyed by constructing an underground parking
facility, and thereby loosing its character as a park. Lastly, he
submitted that no survey as directed by this Court vide order dated
12.9.2014 and as observed by the Supreme Court made in M.I.
Builders (supra).
On the other hand, Mr. Shashi Nandan, learned senior counsel
for KDA, apart from reiterating what has been stated in their counter
affidavit, on instructions, submitted that for construction of
underground parking lot, KDA shall not cut a single tree. As a matter
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of fact, he submitted that the area of 1.5 acres where KDA proposed to
construct underground parking lot, as on the date of decision, did not
have a single tree and even today, this portion does not have a single
tree. He further submitted that, in any case, KDA would construct the
underground parking facility in such a way that the surface (ground
level) of the park would not be disturbed nor any levels would be
created and that one would even not realize that there is an
underground parking lot beneath the park. He also submitted that KDA
shall use modern technology for providing exhaust facility without
causing any pollution in the park. In the course of arguments, he
submitted, as a matter of fact, as of today, the portion where KDA
propose to construct underground parking lot is vacant and is not used
for any purpose whatsoever. After construction of the underground
parking facility, KDA propose to develop a very attractive garden/park
over this portion. In support of this contention, he also invited our
attention to several paragraphs, few of which we have already made
reference, of the counter affidavit.
The principal question that falls for our consideration is whether
the construction of an underground parking in an area, which is
reserved under the Master Plan as a park, would violate the provisions
of the Master Plan, more particularly in the light of the judgment of
this Court dated 12.9.2014 in PIL No. 42083 of 2014. At this stage, it is
relevant to notice the question that was raised in the earlier PIL and the
liberty given by the Division Bench, while disposing of the said PIL.
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The question was “whether construction of an underground shopping
complex in an area which is reserved under Master Plan as a park
would violate the provisions of Master Plan” and the liberty granted,
while disposing of the PIL, was to conduct a fresh survey on the likely
need for a car parking facility and after a due and proper enquiry and
survey, to conceive of a project involving the provision of a parking
facility as an amenity appurtenant to the park. Thus, the challenge in
the earlier PIL was to the proposed construction of an underground car
parking and a shopping complex of 150 shops in a portion of
Phoolbagh park at Kanpur. The Division Bench while dealing with the
question that fell for its consideration observed thus:
“...At this stage, it does not appear that any survey or
study was carried out before a decision was taken to
provide an underground shopping complex of 150
shops, on the impact of a shopping complex on the
existing state of traffic congestion in the area. The
presence of 150 shops is liable to attract a large number of
vehicles of persons who visit the shopping complex.
Whether this situation would at all alleviate the problem of
traffic congestion outside Phoolbagh is a moot point. In our
view, it was necessary for KDA to have carried out a
thorough study in regard to whether the construction of
a shopping complex, albeit in the basement would
resolve the basic issue of traffic congestion.”
(emphasis supplied)
Then the Division Bench after considering the judgments of the
Supreme Court in Bangalore Medical Trust, G.N. Khajuria and
M.I. Builders (supra) in one of the concluding paragraphs held thus:
“The submission is that only an area ad-measuring 1.5 acres
of the park would be utilized for an underground shopping
complex. The fact that "only" 1.5 acres of the total area of
the park is to be utilized for the construction of a shopping
complex together with an appurtenant car parking facility
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cannot, in our view, legalise the project. Conceivably, a
Master Plan may permit making available a parking
facility for the purpose of the visitors to a park or
recreation space and this would be an amenity
associated with the use of the park itself. But in no
circumstances, can a recreational area be converted into
shopping complex, whether below or above ground. In
M.I. Builders (supra), the Supreme Court held that a
terrace garden above an underground shopping complex is
no substitute to a park. An area reserved in the Master Plan
as a park must be used as a park. The Court cannot
countenance devious attempts by public bodies to usurp the
dwindling green areas that remain. Above all, the project in
question, allowing as many as 150 shops in the basement,
was conceived without a due and proper application of
mind to the impact on congestion and density of population
in an already over crowded area. In this view of the matter,
we are of the view that it would not be appropriate to allow
the historical park situated in the city of Kanpur and
associated with important events of the freedom struggle, to
be frittered away.”
(emphasis supplied)
From perusal of the judgement dated 12.9.2014 passed in PIL
No. 42083 of 2014, it is clear that the Division Bench had granted
liberty to KDA to conduct a fresh survey on the likely need for a car
parking facility and then to conceive of a project involving the
provision of a parking facility as an amenity appurtenant to the park. In
view of the observations made in the judgement dated 12.9.2014, the
respondents claim that they conducted survey and after due and proper
enquiry conceived of a project involving the provision of a parking
facility only as an amenity appurtenant to the park. In other words,
KDA dropped the proposal for construction of a shopping complex of
150 shops in the upper basement in a portion of Phoolbagh at Kanpur.
It was categorically submitted on behalf of the respondents that they
would not cut a single tree for construction of the underground car
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parking and would also not disturb the surface (ground level), and that
after construction gets over, they would develop and maintain better
garden than what exists as of today, in particular at the spot where they
propose to construct the underground car parking lot. It was also
submitted that after the construction is over and a garden is developed,
one would not even realize that there is an underground car parking lot
beneath the park/garden.
The project that has been cleared in the 112
th
meeting of KDA
Board dated 14.10.2014, envisages construction of an underground car
parking facility for 650 cars and the portion above the car parking lot,
shall be restored back to its original position to be used as park/garden.
It is well settled that any use, development or construction must
necessarily abide by the provisions of Master Plan and the Zoning
Regulations. The Master Plan which has been prepared under the Act,
1973 has statutory force. Once the Master Plan is notified, it has
binding force and effect.
It appears that KDA, while proposing to construct underground
car parking facility and shopping complex, did not carry out any study
on the impact of the proposed shopping complex on the preservation of
a historical park as a green area and further on the impact of a
shopping complex on the existing state of traffic congestion in the
area. It was noticed that the presence of 150 shops would attract a large
number of vehicles of the visitors to the shopping complex. Whether
that situation would at all alleviate the problem of traffic congestion
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outside Phoolbagh was not taken into consideration by the
respondents. In this backdrop, the Division Bench in the earlier PIL
had observed that “it was necessary for KDA to have carried out a
thorough study in regard to whether the construction of a shopping
complex, albeit in the basement, would resolve the basic issue of
traffic congestion.” There was nothing on record to indicate that any
study was carried out on the impact of proposed shopping complex.
Having so observed, the earlier PIL was disposed of with liberty to
KDA, as mentioned above.
It is true, and in any case cannot be disputed that the public
interest in the reservation and preservation of open spaces for parks
and playgrounds cannot be sacrificed for any purpose whatsoever. Any
such act would be contrary to the legislative intent and inconsistent
with the statutory requirements. Furthermore, it would be in direct
conflict with the constitutional mandate to ensure that any state action
is inspired by the basic values of individual freedom and dignity and
addressed to the attainment of a quality of life which makes the
guaranteed rights a reality for all the citizens, as observed by the
Supreme Court in Bangalore Medical Trust (supra). Absence of open
space and public park, in present day when urbanisation is on
increase, rural exodus is on large scale and congested areas are
coming up rapidly, may give rise to health hazard. Therefore, in any
case open space and parks cannot be allowed to be destroyed, either by
constructing shopping complex or even for parking for that matter.
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What is necessary to see, in the present case, is whether construction of
underground parking would either destroy the park or reduce the area
of park more than 5% of the total area for providing ingress and egress
to underground parking lot.
Our attention was specifically drawn to the observations made
by the Supreme Court in M.I. Builders (supra) to contend that
Phoolbagh is of historical importance and construction of underground
parking would create grave to the environment ecology of the park, the
surrounding area and the city, adversely affecting the health of the
citizens. It was submitted that after the underground parking is allowed
to be constructed, trees cannot be planted and the development of park
above the underground parking lot would be more like a terrace park
and in any case, it cannot be termed as a park. It would be relevant to
notice the observations made by the Supreme Court in M.I. Builders
(supra) wherein the decision taken by the Lucknow Nagar
Mahapalika, permitting a builder to construct an underground shopping
complex in the Jhandewala Park situated in Aminabad market
Lucknow was under challenge. The Supreme Court was dealing with
the judgment of a learned Single Judge, who held the decision to be
unlawful and a mandamus was issued to the Lucknow Nagar
Mahapalika to restore back the park to its original position. The
relevant observations in paragraph 51 read thus:
“51. Jhandewala Park, the park in question, has been in
existence for a great number of years. It is situated in the
heart of Aminabad, a bustling commercial-cum-residential
locality in the city of Lucknow. The park is of historical
14
importance. Because of the construction of underground
shopping complex and parking it may still have the
appearance of a park with grass grown and path laid but it
has lost the ingredients of a park inasmuch as no plantation
now can be grown. Trees cannot be planted and rather
while making underground construction many trees have
been cut. Now it is more like a terrace park. Qualitatively it
may still be a park but it is certainly a park of different
nature. By construction of underground shopping complex
irreversible changes have been made. It was submitted that
the park was acquired by the State Government in the year
1913 and was given to the Mahapalika for its management.
This has not been controverted. Under Section 114 of the
Act it is the obligatory duty of the Mahapalika to
maintain public places, parks and plant trees. By
allowing underground construction Mahapalika has
deprived itself of its obligatory duties to maintain the
park which cannot be permitted. But then one of the
obligatory functions of the Mahapalika under Section
114 is also to construct and maintain parking lots. To
that extent some area of the park could be used for the
purpose of constructing underground parking lot. But
that can only be done after proper study has been made of
the locality, including density of the population living in the
area, the floating population and other certain relevant
considerations. This study was never done. Mahapalika is
the trustee for the proper management of the park. When
true nature of the park, as it existed, is destroyed it would
be violative of the doctrine of public trust as expounded by
this Court in Span Resort Case (1997 (1) SCC 388). Public
Trust doctrine is part of Indian law. In that case the
respondent who had constructed a motel located at the bank
of river Beas interfered with the natural flow of the river.
This Court said that the issue presented in that case
illustrated "the classic struggle between those members of
the public who would preserve our rivers, forests, parks and
open lands in their pristine purity and those charged with
administrative responsibilities who, under the pressures of
the changing needs of an increasingly complex society, find
it necessary to encroach to some extent upon open lands
heretofore considered inviolate to change"
(emphasis supplied)
From perusal of the above observations made by the Supreme
Court, it is clear that one of the obligatory functions of the Nagar
Mahapalika under Section 114 of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal
15
Corporation Adhiniyam, 1959 (in short Adhiniyam of 1959) is to
construct and maintain parking lot. Having regard thereto, the Supreme
Court observed that some area of the park could be used for the
purpose of constructing underground parking lot. But that can only be
done after proper study has been made of the locality, including
density of the population living in the area, the floating population and
other certain relevant considerations.
In that case, the Supreme Court was considering the challenge to
the construction of an underground shopping complex and in view
thereof, it was also held that the Master Plan could not have envisaged
Jhandewala Park being used as a site for commercial purposes,
considering the density and congestion in the area.
It is not in dispute that Kanpur is one of the most populated
cities not only in India but in the world. It faces traffic congestion
problem day in and day out. It is also not in dispute that the area
around Phoolbagh park is marked by heavy traffic congestion since a
crowded market place is situated in close proximity of the park. Traffic
congestion causes inconvenience not only to the residents of area and
the persons visiting markets situated in close proximity of the park, but
also to the visitors to the park. It is also not in dispute that the visitors
to the park and even to the market place situated in close proximity of
the park do not have parking facility and they find it extremely
difficult to park their vehicles, and situation there force them to park
their vehicles on crowded road and lanes, which further causes traffic
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congestion and also air pollution. It was contended on behalf of the
petitioners that though the area of Phoolbagh was originally 40 acres,
what remains as of today as park, is an area of about 18 acres. Out of
this area of park, KDA proposes to use 1.5 acres for an underground
parking facility. After the judgment of this Court in the earlier PIL, we
are informed, KDA decided not to reduce the area of park at all and
provide an underground car parking facility without disturbing the
surface (ground level) of the park and to provide a modern exhaust
facility without creating any pollution in the park.
In our opinion, parking lot, irrespective of the fact whether, it is
at ground level or underground, for a park, as per the Master Plan,
would be an amenity associated with the use of the park itself as
observed by the Supreme Court in M.I. Builders (supra), after making
reference to Section 114 of the Adhiniyam of 1959. Construction of
underground parking to some extent is permissible in law. What is
required is only that such decision has to be taken after proper study of
the locality, including the density of the population living in the area,
the floating population and other certain relevant considerations, such
as traffic congestion. Dropping of the original proposal for
construction of an underground shopping complex is an outcome of the
study/survey conducted by KDA for car parking facility in the area as
an amenity appurtenant to the park. We have, with the assistance of
learned senior counsel for KDA, gone through the survey report dated
24.9.2015. The report is exhaustive. Lot of photographs are also placed
17
on record, which show the physical condition of the area around the
park. The report and the photographs placed on record are sufficient to
convince that the parking facility is necessary and it could be only
underground. The Supreme Court in M.I. Builders (supra) has
undoubtedly observed that a terrace garden above an underground
shopping complex is no substitute to a park but that was in the light of
the nature of project under consideration, namely underground
shopping complex. In the very same judgment, as noticed earlier, the
Supreme Court also observed that some area of the park could be used
for the purposes of constructing underground parking lot having regard
to surrounding areas where the people suffer every day due to traffic
congestion. The only alternative left to KDA is to provide underground
parking lot without causing any disturbance to the park on the surface.
In our opinion, the observations made by this Court in the order
dated 29.7.2015 were prima facie observations and they cannot be
taken as final opinion on the questions raised in the writ petition.
Section 13 of the Act, 1973 also would not come in our way to take the
view, that we are taking in the instant PIL. From sub-section (1) of
Section 13, it is manifest that the Authority may make only those
amendments which do not affect important alteration in the character
of the plan. It means the respondents do not have an absolute right of
amending the Master Plan or the zonal development plan. The basic
characteristic of such a plan cannot be altered by the Authority. Only
that amendment is permissible under Section 13(1) which does not
18
affect the basic character of the plan. Open space lying for park in the
plan forms a basic feature of the plan and that cannot be amended. A
plan cannot be amended so as to denude the plan of such a basic
feature. Section 13 (1) can in no circumstances be interpreted so as to
clothe KDA to utilise the open space reserved for a park either to
construct buildings or use it in any other manner, which is foreign to
the concept of a park. (See D.D. Vyas and others vs. Ghaziabad
Development Authority, Ghaziabad, 1992 Legal Eagle (ALD) 131).
In the present case, the basic characteristic of Master Plan has not been
altered and, therefore, the question of even amendment of the Master
Plan also did not arise.
Project of underground parking, the manner in which KDA
proposes to develop, as observed earlier, in our opinion, would not
alter the Master Plan or the zonal development plan. On the contrary,
the provision of a parking facility that KDA proposes to provide by
constructing underground parking lot, is an amenity appurtenant to the
park. It is the obligatory duty of Mahapalika to maintain public places,
parks and plant trees. It is also one of the obligatory functions of the
Mahapalika under this provision, to construct and maintain parking lot
and to that extent some area of park could be used for the purpose of
constructing underground parking lot. In our opinion, the characteristic
of park, as defined by clause (b) of Section 2 of the Parks Act, would
not be changed or defaced, by construction of the underground parking
facility in Phoolbagh.
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In the result, the petition is dismissed with no order as to costs.
Before parting, in the larger interest of the people in Kanpur, we
issue the following directions to KDA:
(i)KDA for construction of the underground parking facility, as
proposed, shall not cut a single tree;
(ii)KDA after construction of the underground parking facility shall
develop the park and to have appearance of a park, provide lawn,
flower beds, walking track/jogging track, etc. In short, under any
circumstances, KDA should see to it that after construction of the
underground car parking facility, the park above the parking lot, shall
not loose its character as a park;
(iii)KDA shall provide exhaust facilities, for the underground
parking facility, in such a way that it shall not, in any case, cause any
air pollution in the park;
(iv)KDA shall reserve minimum half of the parking space in the
underground parking lot for the vehicles of visitors to the park; and
(v)KDA even in future shall not use any portion of the park for any
purpose other than for a park as defined under Section 2 (b) of the
Parks Act.
Date: 24
th
August, 2016 (Dilip B Bhosale, CJ)
RK/
(Yashwant Varma, J)
Legal Notes
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