Goa, May 12 -- The Supreme Court of India has expressed concern over petitions that allegedly seek to stall development projects in the name of environmental protection, observing that ecological concerns should not become a blanket reason to oppose every project.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned whether so-called environmental activists had ever supported any development initiative in the country.

"Show us even a single project in this country where these so-called environmental activists have said that we welcome this project," the bench remarked during the hearing.

The court further observed that several petitions appear to be aimed solely at delaying or obstructing development works.

"In this country, the kind of...