In a stern rebuke, the Supreme Court of India on Monday dismissed the West Bengal government’s request to postpone construction on Kolkata’s Orange Line Metro route, criticizing the state for its “obstinate” stance and for politicizing a key infrastructure project. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, described the petition as frivolous and accused the authorities of deliberately stalling development work. The state had appealed against a Calcutta High Court order from December 23, which mandated completion of the Metro work at the Chingrighata crossing by February 15. Citing upcoming assembly elections and the need for an extension until May, the government argued that the project would disrupt public life, particularly in a vital area serving as a green corridor for ambulances and organ transplants. However, the Supreme Court rejected these claims, emphasizing that the Metro initiative began well before the election model code of conduct was enforced and that a democratically elected government should not use polls as an excuse to hinder progress.
The court further lambasted the state for prioritizing festivals over essential infrastructure, noting that officials had previously cited celebrations as a reason for withholding police support and traffic diversions. “This is a development issue,” the bench stated, highlighting the government’s “complete abdication of constitutional duty” and obligation to comply with high court directives. Representing the state, advocate Nandini Sen Mukherjee warned of public inconvenience, but the justices dismissed this, pointing out the high court’s leniency thus far and suggesting that contempt actions against top officials, including the chief secretary and director general of police, might be warranted. A related contempt petition remains pending in the high court. The bench refused to allow the state to withdraw its plea, insisting it had squandered an earlier opportunity, and empowered the high court to enforce its orders. This ruling underscores ongoing tensions between judicial oversight and state-level priorities, particularly amid electoral pressures, while reinforcing the need for uninterrupted urban development in one of India’s bustling metropolises. The Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line is expected to enhance connectivity, alleviating traffic woes in the eastern part of the city, though the government’s resistance has drawn criticism for potentially delaying benefits to commuters and emergency services.