Dumping Of Muck in Forests: HP HC chides NHAI for not reigning in contractors
Shimla
Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday chided the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for not reigning in its contractor against dumping muck on the roadside in forests areas.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed these orders on a petition filed by Fourlane Visthapit and Prabhavit Samiti.
HP HC PRO HR Sagar said the court has taken serious note of the irresponsible conduct on the part of NHAI officials for not reigning in its contractors and curbing muck dumping in forest areas.
The court has suo motu implead the Indian government through Environment & Forests and Transport ministry as parties to the petition.
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In their plea, the petitioner alleged that the NHAI contractors who have been entrusted with the work of widening and construction of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk NH are dumping muck in forest areas.
To fix accountability on NHAI, the Deputy Solicitor General of India, appearing on behalf of newly implead respondents, has been directed to file a response on ensuring compliance by NHAI contractors.
The NHAI has been instructed to direct its contractors to not dump muck in forest areas or near water bodies and to remove earlier dumped material by the next date of hearing on 20 July 2023.
