Mohammed Mohideen, learned counsel appearing for theKodaikanal Municipalaity is requested to file status report after personal inspection of the Kodaikanal area and Dindigul District as to the implementation of the plastic ban as ordered by this Court. For filing such report post the matter on 22.12.2022. (N.S.K.,J.) (D.B.C.,J.) 24.11.2022 ggs N.SATHISH KUMAR, J. AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. ggs WMP.No.15112 of 2019 in WP.No.15120 of 2019 24.11.2022
WESTERN GHATS FOREST PROTECTION
WMP.No.15112 of 2019 in WP.No.15120 of 2019
N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.
AND
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
Order Dated: 24.11.2022
In the last hearing we have passed an order directing the District Collectors of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris to establish of the peramanent centres for collection of pet bottles in Mettupalayam – Kallar Road. Particularly, the case is identified during our inspection in April 2022 and even during the inspection, despite places have been identified and agreed for such purpose, no permanent structure has been put up so far. Today the District Collectors of Nilgiris, Coimbatore are present through video conferencing. The Collector of Nilgiris would submit that he will discuss with the Collector of Coimbatore and sort out the issue and also necessary funds can be utilised for putting up the permanent construction if the place provided by the District Collector of Coimbatore. The District Collector agreed before this Court that if the fund is provided by the District Collector, Nilgiris, they will allot a place in Odanthurai Panchayat for putting up a permanent structure for collecting the plastics from the vehicles.
- We have directed for such permanent collection points only the areas referred above, mainly to prevent traffic hurdles in the road leading to Ooty. If the plastic collection centre is established in Odanthurai Panchayat, there will be no traffic hurdle or inconvenience to the travellors. Further, it is also very easy to check the vehicles in the way itself. In such a view of the matter, as both the collectors have appeared before this court and stated that they will discuss and formuate the project and file a report post the matter on 22.12.2022.
- It is also stated by the Collector of the Nilgiris that one of the difficulties experienced was that though they are checking all the vehicles regularly in the respective collection centres, the Government Corporation buses are not stopping despite sign board or interfered by the staff. In such a view of the matter, we are of the view that the District Collectors being the Regional Transport Authority of their respective districts, shall issue orders directing the Corporation officials and also the drivers to give necessary instructions to all the passengers not to carry any plastic bottles, besides a direction that in all the checkposts the Corporation buses should be stopped for necessary check. If any driver violates the direction, necessary disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated against them.
- It is further stated by the District Collector, The Nilgiris, that when the staff of the Revenue Department or other Departments while collecting the plastic bottles the buses are not stopping and the drivers have ignored the signals of the staff. In such a view of the matter, for effective implementation of the plastic ban and make responsibility of the drivers and corporation officials, we suo motu implead the Principal Secretary to Government, Transports Department and the Transport Commissioner, Government of Tamilnadu. Learned Additional Special Government Pleader takes notice for them.
- Mohammed Mohideen, learned counsel appearing for theKodaikanal Municipalaity is requested to file status report after personal inspection of the Kodaikanal area and Dindigul District as to the implementation of the plastic ban as ordered by this Court. For filing such report post the matter on 22.12.2022.
(N.S.K.,J.) (D.B.C.,J.)
24.11.2022
ggs
N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.
AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
ggs
WMP.No.15112 of 2019 in WP.No.15120 of 2019
24.11.2022
