India, May 17 -- In a significant development, the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has directed the Maharashtra government to immediately halt construction activities related to the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata Road (BBPP) project until the matter is reviewed by the apex court.

The May 16 letter signed by Siddhanta Das, chairman, CEC, and addressed to the Maharashtra chief secretary states that no work should be undertaken in areas identified as "deemed forest" along the 2.1km proposed road alignment. The committee warned that proceeding with construction in these areas would constitute violation of the Supreme Court's judgment in T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India & Others (1996), as well as the Van (Sanraksha...