The Taurus Downtown Trivandrum project is encountering major obstacles as the High Court has quashed a writ petition from Dragonstone Realty. This decision reinforces an NGT ruling that revoked the project's environmental clearance and imposed a penalty of INR 15 crore. The NGT's action followed an appeal by environmental activist Thomas Lawrence, and Dragonstone Realty is now seeking legal advice to challenge the judgment, potentially delaying the project further.
The non-SEZ segment of the Taurus Downtown Trivandrum project at Technopark Phase-III has faced a significant setback as the High Court quashed the writ petition filed by Dragonstone Realty Pvt Ltd earlier this week. The court clarified that it could not intervene in a case where the National Green Tribunal (NGT) serves as the appellate authority. Dragonstone Realty is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) established to develop the non-SEZ section of the Taurus Downtown Trivandrum project.
Following the High Court's remarks, the earlier NGT order to revoke the environmental clearance for the expansion of the mixed-use project at the Technopark Phase-III campus has been reinstated. Nonetheless, Dragonstone Realty has opted to seek legal advice regarding the potential challenge of the High Court's ruling, either within the High Court or in the Supreme Court.
R Anil Kumar, the Chief Operating Officer of Dragonstone and the petitioner, mentioned that they would soon seek legal advice to challenge the judgment. However, he acknowledged that this could delay this component of the project.
According to the High Court's judgment, the NGT, which consists of both judicial and environmental experts, is adequately equipped to handle complex environmental cases by balancing legal and technical aspects. The judgment stated that allowing the petitioner to bypass the statutory appeal process and entertain a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India would not be a proper exercise of jurisdiction.
In addition to revoking the environmental clearance for the project, the NGT also imposed a penalty of INR 15 crore on the project proponent. This order was based on an appeal filed by environmental activist Thomas Lawrence against the environmental clearance for the project's expansion.
The non-SEZ segment proposes a mall, hotel, apartment blocks, and an IT office building. Earlier this year, Dragonstone Realty secured an interim stay order from the High Court regarding the NGT's decision for one month. Subsequently, the petitioner requested an extension of the stay order, which was granted. Previously, the NGT annulled the clearance issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change for the main component of the project, as well as the clearance from the State Impact Assessment Authority for further expansion.
The ongoing legal challenges surrounding the Taurus Downtown Trivandrum project highlight the complexities of balancing development and environmental concerns. With the NGT's strict stance on environmental clearances and penalties, the future of the non-SEZ segment remains uncertain. Dragonstone Realty's decision to seek legal recourse reflects their commitment to advancing the project, yet the potential delays underscore the need for compliance with regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable development.
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