Kerala High Court Directs Idukki Collector to Reconsider Munnar Glass Bridge Closure
The Kerala High Court has issued a significant directive to the district collector of Idukki, ordering a reconsideration of the operational halt imposed on the glass bridge at Anachal in Munnar. The court has mandated that the collector must address this tourism-related issue within a strict timeframe of one month, taking into account a comprehensive study report submitted by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut.
Judicial Bench and Petitioner's Appeal
A bench comprising Justices P Gopinath and Johnson John delivered this order in response to an appeal filed by Neonova Munnar LLP, the operators responsible for managing the glass bridge. This legal action followed a previous decision by a single bench of the High Court, which had declined to grant a stay on the district collector's order that mandated the cessation of the bridge's operations.
Background of the Bridge Closure
The controversy began when the district collector halted the functioning of the glass bridge, citing that its construction was carried out without obtaining the necessary permission from the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society. The single bench, while refusing to issue an interim stay, emphasized that public safety concerns were paramount, making it inappropriate to suspend the collector's order at that stage. This ruling prompted the petitioners to approach the High Court once again, seeking judicial intervention.
Safety Study and Conflicting Submissions
In their appeal, the operators presented a critical piece of evidence: a safety study conducted on the glass bridge by NIT Calicut, initiated after the stop memo was issued. Based on this report, the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society communicated on April 16 that the bridge is deemed safe for use. However, the Pallivasal panchayat secretary countered this by asserting that the petitioners had failed to secure permission from the panchayat for the bridge's construction. It was further argued that the ultimate authority in this matter rests with the district collector, who had already issued the order to halt operations.
Court's Directive and Future Proceedings
After considering all submissions, the High Court has now directed the district collector to re-evaluate the situation within a month. The collector is required to conduct a hearing involving all relevant parties before making a final decision. This judicial order aims to balance tourism promotion with public safety, ensuring that all aspects, including the NIT Calicut report and local permissions, are thoroughly examined.
