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Shimla, Dec 11,
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, on Tuesday raised serious concerns over alleged seismic, environmental and Forest Rights Act violations in the 2.4-km Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Project in Kullu’s Kharal Valley, directing the Himachal Pradesh Government to submit a comprehensive reply within three weeks. The matter is now listed for 13 January 2026.
The Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member), was hearing two connected petitions—Nachiketa Sharma v. Union of India & Ors and Bijli Mahadev Mandir Committee v. Union of India & Ors. It observed that a “common issue in respect of violation of environmental norms” arises from the manner in which the ropeway is being executed.
Applicants raise seismic and landslide risks
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The Applicants pointed out that the project’s own feasibility report acknowledges multiple high-risk natural hazards—earthquakes, landslides, and flooding—but that corresponding assessments and safety measures have not been carried out.
Quoting the feasibility report, the Bench recorded that the project area is “situated in a Seismic zone-V area” and that “further assessment of seismic loading is required within the detailed and technical design.” It further notes that masonry structures should be avoided due to their collapse risk in strong earthquakes.
The Tribunal summarised the Applicants’ contention that despite such disclosures, “certain assessments, structural stability and measures are required to be taken which have not been done in the present case.”
Himachal now falls under BIS Seismic Zone-VI
Significantly, the Applicants argued that the feasibility report categorises the region as Zone-V, whereas the latest BIS seismic classification places it in Zone-VI, the highest-risk category.
Recording this argument, the Tribunal observed: “It is not in dispute that in the recent report, the BIS has placed this region under the high-risk zone-VI. Therefore, the planning and execution is to be done having due regard to the requirements of seismic zone-VI.”
The Applicants further submitted that the feasibility report refers to multiple appendices (from page 407 onward), but these documents have not been submitted before the Tribunal, rendering the technical evaluation incomplete.
The order notes: “These appendix have not been placed on record. Therefore, the entire picture based upon the disclosures made in the feasibility report is not clear.”
Meanwhile, Respondent No. 2 argued that the feasibility report itself should be treated as the Detailed Project Report (DPR), stating before the Bench that “there is no separate DPR, but this feasibility report itself is the DPR.”
Alleged FRA violations and dispute over NOC
A major point of contention arises from alleged non-compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The Applicants claimed that the NOC submitted for the project is forged and that the forest rights of 14 villages remain unsettled, with official records showing settlement for only four villages.
The Tribunal recorded: “The settlement of the forest rights has not been done and the no objection certificate on page 430 is forged… forest rights of 14 villages are to be settled, but… the rights of only 4 villages have been settled.”
State seeks time to verify, promises full response
Himachal Pradesh Advocate General Anup Rattan assured the Bench that all issues raised will be examined thoroughly.
The order states: “Learned Advocate General… submits that the above issues will be looked into and properly responded to, if not already done, within three weeks.”
After hearing both sides, the Tribunal listed the matter for 13 January 2026, marking yet another crucial stage in ongoing scrutiny of the high-altitude ropeway project, which HimachalScape has been tracking since the first set of objections emerged.
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