Madhya Pradesh: HC Notice To Harda Collector For Petrol Pump NOC

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The principal bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur has issued notice to Harda district collector for issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to set up petrol pump in a densely populated area in Harda.

The divisional bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain ordered issuance of notices to respondents to file reply within two weeks. A PIL was filed by an RTI activist Vijay Bajaj against the NOC issued to set up petrol pump in the heart of Harda city.

In February 2024, a blast in fireworks factory in Harda city had killed 11 people and left 150 injured. According to senior advocate Aditya Sanghi, NOC was issued without environmental and proper safety clearance. Moreover, NOC cannot be given to start a new petrol pump in densely populated areas, according to Supreme Court guidelines.

The PIL states that petrol/diesel retail outlet will be come up on khasra number 60/4 PHN 10 in ward number 24. The place is in downtown Harda, which has markets, school, hospital, mall and residential area. Initially, SDM did not issue NOC but the applicant urged for re-examination of his plea.