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High Court takes action against NHAI: Illegal muck dumping in Himachal
Shimla, June 27
The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has expressed serious concern over the irresponsible conduct of officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for failing to control their contractors and prevent illegal muck dumping. In response, the court has taken suo motu action and impleaded the Union of India, represented by the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Ministry of Transport, as parties to the petition.
A Division Bench, led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, issued this order based on a petition filed by the Fourlane Visthapit and Prabhavit Samiti. The petition alleges that NHAI contractors, responsible for widening and constructing the four-lane Kiratpur-Nerchowk National Highway, have been unlawfully dumping muck in forested areas.
To establish accountability within NHAI, the Deputy Solicitor General of India, appearing on behalf of the newly impleaded respondents, has been instructed to submit a response regarding the measures NHAI intends to take to prevent further muck dumping in the state’s forests or near water bodies and ensure the removal of already dumped muck by their contractors.
The case has been scheduled for listing on July 20, 2023, to monitor the progress of the matter and evaluate the actions taken by NHAI in addressing the issue of illegal muck dumping
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