“The petitioners challenge the validity of an amendment made to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Regulations, whereby oil storage facilities have been taken out of the purview of the CRZ restrictions in coastal areas. The petitioners are residents near the power house of the Lakshadweep Electricity Department at Kavaratti. The oil burnt in the process of functioning of the power house contaminates the source of drinking water of the petitioners is the allegation raised. Therefore, they have been clamoring for shifting of the power house to uninhabited area at the southern end of the Kavaratti Island, for the past several years. But, in addition, now another attempt is made to establish an oil storage facility also near the power house. According to the petitioners, the said facility, if established, would be in violation of the CRZ notification. They would submit that the establishment of the oil storage facility would seriously affect the right to live of the petitioners guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The learned Standing Counsel for the Lakshadweep Administration would submit that the power house has already been shifted from the place in question. The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that if that be so, there is no necessity to continue oil storage facility there. Whatever that be, I am of the opinion that the issue raised in this writ petition has a public interest element as
