LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday stayed acquisition of land for coal power plant near BRB Canal and sought replies from the Punjab Energy Department, Power Development Company and others.

The court passed the stay order on a petition filed by four citizens, challenging construction of the plant for being a “redundant technology”.

Representing the petition, Advocate Azhar Siddique told the court that one of the petitioners intended to establish a housing scheme for the locals and entered into an arrangement for purchase of land at Mauza Jalu, Mauza Khera, Mauza Manawan and Mauza Rampur Jageer.

He said at Mauza Khera the coal power company intended to acquire the land, hence by such acquisition of a part of the whole scheme was illegal and in violation of right of business as it was a fundamental right going to be jeopardised and taken away.

The counsel said the coal power projects had been abandoned across the world and were considered as an unfeasible technology.

He pointed out that the Punjab government established a company registered with Security & Exchange Commission of Pakistan as “Punjab Power Development Limited” with a view to develop power projects with public-private partnership and to arrange funding through loan negotiation, joint venture and other means.

He said the Lahore Development Authority issued a notification on June 13, 2015, amending the integrated master plan of Lahore. Through the notification, the area bounded by GT Road, BRB Canal, Hudiara Drain, Bedian Road, Khaira Distributary, Burki Road and Shalimar Link Road had been converted from agricultural to residential use, he added.

He said the land proposed to be acquired was located within the newly declared residential area. The coal-fired power plants could not possibly be allowed within a residential area, he argued.

The counsel said the establishment and operation of small coal-fired power plants in Lahore would pollute air and water in the vicinity of the projects. He said the government’s act was directly in violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

The court stayed the land acquisition process for the project and adjourned hearing till July 15.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2015

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