Supreme Court fines UP Bridge Corporation for illegal construction

The Supreme Court of India has fined the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation ₹ 5 lakh for starting the construction of a flyover without permission. The court found it surprising that the corporation moved forward with the project, which involves cutting down trees in the protected Taj Trapezium Zone. The bench, consisting of Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, questioned how the state-owned company could ignore court orders regarding environmental protection in the area. The Taj Trapezium Zone, which covers about 10,400 square kilometers, includes regions in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Justice Oka stressed that the corporation must obtain approval before felling around 198 trees. The court stated that compulsory afforestation must occur before any tree removal can be considered. The justices emphasized that they would not provide a blanket approval for industrial or other developments in the area. The Supreme Court ordered officials to monitor the construction site and ensure that no trees are cut down without authorization. The UP Jal Nigam and Agra Municipal Corporation were also reminded to follow the court's earlier directions regarding drainage issues in the zone. The bench previously asked the Taj Trapezium Zone authority to conduct a tree census, as data on existing trees is essential for enforcing tree protection laws. The court highlighted that the goal of the UP Protection of Trees Act, 1976, is to safeguard trees, not to allow their removal without justification.