BASAKHA SINGH GHUNAS Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) VEHICULAR traffic in the last few years has increased manifold. To cater to this increase, necessity arose to install and operate petrol pumps and fuel stations on National/State Highways and other link roads.

(2.) TREES which were planted many years ago and are in existence to provide shade and absorb pollution on these roads have been chopped off with impunity so that ingress and outgress is available to newly established petrol pumps/fuel stations.

(3.) THE present writ petition has been filed for enforcement of aforementioned instructions/guide-lines issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests with a prayer that proposal to establish new petrol pump by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (hereinafter to be referred as, 'BPCL') on National Highway 64 at KM 156.320 (RHS) at Village Handiaya, District Barnala on Handiaya-Tapa road be shelved, as on that stretch of road, already three retail petrol outlets exist at a distance of 2/2-1/2 Kms. from each other and the authorities be directed not to issue a 'No Objection Certificate', as it will disturb ecological harmony.