HC pulls up Kinnaur admin for ‘total non-compliance’ of orders, directs DC to appear in person
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HC pulls up Kinnaur admin for ‘total non-compliance’ of orders, directs DC to appear in person
Shimla, July 16,
Taking a serious view of the alleged failure of the Kinnaur district administration to comply with its earlier directions regarding the clearance of debris from Taitty Khud, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, to remain personally present before the court on July 28 and explain the inaction.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi passed the order while hearing Court on its Own Motion vs. State of Himachal Pradesh and Others.
The court observed that despite its order dated October 16, 2025 directing the Deputy Commissioner to deploy adequate machinery for clearing the rivulet, only one earthmover was deployed for a limited period, resulting in what the Bench termed as “total non-compliance” of its directions.
According to an affidavit filed by the Superintending Engineer, HPPWD, Rampur Circle, a private chain-mounted Poclain excavator was engaged between September 7 and September 15, 2025, during which only 40 machine hours were utilized for removing debris, boulders and other obstructions to restore the original flow of Taitty Khud.
The affidavit further stated that periodic dredging of the khad bed to a depth of about three metres over a 200-metre stretch would be required at an estimated cost of Rs 1.25 crore, for which a proposal has been submitted to the competent authority for approval.
Counsel appearing for respondent No. 6 informed the court that the matter had been referred to the Disaster Management Authority. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) envisaging works worth approximately Rs 18.67 crore has been prepared, with an estimated execution period of 36 months.
The Bench also took note of photographs placed on record by Amicus Curiae C.D. Negi showing the aftermath of the flash floods of July 9 and 10, 2026. The photographs indicated that the bridge over the stream had been submerged and covered with debris, while adjoining buildings remained under threat due to the accumulation of silt and boulders.
Recalling its earlier order, the High Court observed that it had specifically directed the Deputy Commissioner in October 2025 to deploy more machinery after finding that only one JCB was working at the site. However, the latest affidavit revealed that only one machine had worked for 40 hours and the situation had deteriorated over the past year.
Also read:HC seeks details on utilisation of LADA, CSR and CAMPA funds in Kinnaur PIL
The court remarked that the affidavit demonstrated “total non-compliance of the order passed by this court” and directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, to remain present personally on the next date of hearing to explain why adequate machinery had not been deployed and why the rivulet had not been cleared despite the matter being under the court’s consideration.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 28, 2026.
The issue assumes significance as fresh flash floods in the Taitty Khud area during July 2026 once again led to heavy deposition of debris. During the recent flooding, only a single JCB was reportedly engaged in removing the accumulated material, reinforcing concerns over the implementation of the High Court’s earlier directions.
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