'Obstinate Attitude' : Supreme Court Raps West Bengal For Stalling Kolkata's Orange Line Metro Project

The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the West Bengal Government for delaying the implementation of the Kolkata's Orange Line Metro project connecting New Garia to Salt Lake Sector V., observing that the State had exhibited an "obstinate attitude" in stalling a public infrastructure initiative.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi dismissed the petition filed by the State of West Bengal challenging an order passed by the Calcutta High Court in December last year directing the authorities to identify two consecutive weekend night traffic blockade dates to enable the construction of metro piers at the busy Chingrighata junction. The High Court had rejected the State's argument that traffic blockades cannot be imposed due to the festival season. 

The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the State challenging the High Court's direction issued to facilitate the expeditious construction of a public utility project.

Justice Bagchi noted that the authorities had earlier informed the High Court that police support could not be provided due to festival arrangements.

"You told the High Court we have got festivals to arrange and so we can't give police support for constructing. For you, festival is more important than development. We don't appreciate a democratically elected State Government to knock our doors and say please come and save us," he remarked.

"Do not politicise everything. This is a development issue," the Chief Justice observed during the hearing.

The State defended its position by citing concerns regarding public safety and essential services, submitting that ambulances and organ transplant vehicles frequently used the affected corridor and sought additional time to manage traffic arrangements. However, the Bench remained unconvinced.

The Chief Justice observed that the High Court had shown considerable restraint despite what he described as serious lapses by the State authorities.

"This was a fit case where your Chief Secretary and Director General of Police should have been subjected to some action. This shows complete dereliction of your constitutional duty. This is just an attempt to politicise an issue where there is no such issue," the CJI stated.

In its order, the Supreme Court concluded that the State's conduct reflected a deliberate attempt to delay the project. It affirmed that there was no infirmity in the High Court's directions and expressed confidence that the metro rail project would now be completed within a time-bound framework.

"This merely exhibits the obstinate attitude of the authority, wherein they want to delay and stall the metro rail project in the city of Kolkata. There is no infirmity in the order passed by the High Court. We are sure that the project is to be completed in a time-bound manner."

Although the State's counsel sought permission to withdraw the petition, the bench refused.

Background

The controversy stems from proceedings before the Calcutta High Court, where a Division Bench led by Acting Chief Justice Justice Sujoy Paul directed the State Government and traffic authorities 

The High Court held that delays in granting traffic diversion permissions were adversely affecting public interest, noting that the postponement of infrastructure projects leads to cost escalation and deprives citizens of essential services. It also rejected the State's preliminary objection on maintainability and declined the Advocate General's request to stay the operation of its order.

The High Court had underscored that in a country where festivals occur throughout the year, traffic congestion alone cannot be a perpetual ground to delay critical public infrastructure projects.

Case : THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS. Versus UPAMANYU BHATTACHARYA AND ORS. | SLP(C) No. 7926/2026