Agara-Bellandur: NGT slams Mantri Techzone

Bengaluru: The National Green Tribunal, closely monitoring Agara and Bellandur lakes, on Wednesday heard the lake inspection report and the status of compliance. It slammed Mantri Techzone and slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh for not filing the compliance report till date.

It questioned why the directions of the judgement have not been complied with and directed the MD of Mantri Techzone to be present during the next hearing.
Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, said, “The May 4, 2016 judgement by NGT is landmark and Mantri TechZone has not complied with the order. In today's hearing, the NGT came out strongly against Mantri Techzone and we now look forward to complete compliance of the order at the earliest.”

Nitin Seshadri of Koramangala 3rd Block RWA said, “This is a welcome step by the NGT to hold erring parties to account. Right through, Mantri Techzone has refused to comply with the orders of the NGT and their defiance is making a mockery of law. It's in the fitness of things that the NGT starts cracking down on this brazen behaviour.”

Rajeev Chandrashekar, who is seeking a Rajya Sabha seat, said, “This type of determined follow up has been made necessary because of the government's lack of enforcement of any laws in Bengaluru and the state. This is also a clear message to all builders and contractors operating in our city – if you try and exploit our Bengaluru by violating laws, citizens will hold you accountable with my active support.” The matter has been listed for March 20.