The high court on Tuesday gave environment activist Subhas Datta liberty to file a petition against the state government for its alleged failure to clean the part of the Maidan where Ganga Sagar pilgrims had camped.

The division bench headed by Justice P.C. Ghose, which allowed Dutta to move the petition following an oral submission by him, is likely to hear the case on February 1.

The part of the greens where the government had set up makeshift shelters for the pilgrims comes under the “Blue Zone”, which is under the control of the army.

The high court had in September 2007 banned all activities that could destroy the Maidan and Victoria Memorial, including using open chulhas within 3km of the monument.

Dutta on Tuesday tabled photographs of ovens dug up on the Maidan for the pilgrims, in violation of the high court order. He also alleged that the temporary sewerage and privies had been set up without considering the pollution they could cause and the damage they could inflict on the greens.

While pleading for the government’s intervention in the matter, the activist sought an order for permanent shelters for the pilgrims on a plot owned by the army near Diamond Harbour.

The bench appreciated Dutta’s submission and asked him to file a petition for formal hearing of the matter.

The camps had been set up by the Ganga Sagar Mela Sanjukta Samity, an umbrella front of 52 voluntary organisations, after taking permission from the defence ministry. The Samity paid a rent of Rs 250 per day for 41 days, from December 20 to January 30. Around 5 to 6 lakh pilgrims from the country and abroad assembled in the camps on their way to Ganga Sagar.