The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has stopped an ongoing beautification work at the Judges Ghat, alleging that the agency that is carrying out the work with permission from Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), did not seek a no objection certificate (NOC) from KMC and the Army for the project, and that the work at the ghat, if not finished before Durga Puja, will create problems during Durga Puja immersions.

It was learnt that the KMC commissioner, Khalil Ahmed, along with members of the mayor-in-council (MMIC), Ratan Dey and Debashish Kumar, were carrying out an inspection drive at all the 29 ghats.

The civic body has stopped all work at Judges Ghat, claiming that the beautification was being carried out without any NOC from the KMC.

Mr. Debashish Kumar, member mayor-in-council (MMIC), parks and squares department, claimed that the work was previously stopped by the Army since the agency did not seek any permission from them. The work had resumed but now it has been stopped again by KMC.

He said “The agency carrying out the work did not seek any NOC for the beautification project despite the terms in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the agency and the KoPT clearly stating that they need to seek permission from us. Neither was any permission sought from the Army.”

Mr Kumar remarked that if the work fails to be completed before Durga Puja then it will be a tremendous hassle for the KMC and the Kolkata Police in terms of management since the ghat is used for immersions. It was further learnt from the MMIC that a meeting has been called where officials from KoPT, the Army, the agency concerned and from Kolkata Police, will be present.

The civic body aims to resolve the issue through discussions rather than taking the legal recourse, a KMC official said.

Meanwhile, KoPT sources claimed that the project is being carried out by an NGO which had sought permission from the KoPT last year for carrying out the work but did not seek permission from Army or KMC. “It is not a KoPT project. The port authorities have instructed them to complete the work before Pujas and for continuing with their work, they need permission from the required authorities.”

Sources in the Army, Eastern Command, denied having any knowledge of the matter when contacted.