In rural areas, the competent authority remains the Collector/Additional Collector acting under the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1959. However, it is stated that the Respondents could not have sought permission from the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC), as the said body was neither constituted nor operational at the time when permission was granted by the Additional Collector, Raisen, on 03.06.2025. Thus, the permission granted under Sections 240–241 of the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1959, was lawful, valid, and in accordance with the prevailing legal framework at the relevant time. The project in question is of significant public importance, as it facilitates connectivity from Bhopal to the historic Bhojpur Temple, an 11th-century monument constructed by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The project aims to upgrade the existing two-lane road to a four-lane road, thereby easing traffic congestion and improving accessibility for pilgrims and residents of nearby villages, including Mendua, Kiratnagar, Bhojpur, Ashapuri, and Goharganj. It is also stated that the project has been undertaken with the objective of improving infrastructure, ensuring road safety, and facilitating smoother access to a site of religious and historical significance. It is submitted that, at all stages, due consideration has been given to environmental concerns, and the answering respondents remain committed to sustainable development and strict adherence to the conditions stipulated in the permission dated 03.06.2025.
