HC sets 15-day deadline for repairs on Nainital-Haldwani stretch

Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court has issued fresh directions in a public interest litigation filed by Anil Yadav, a resident, addressing two civic concerns in Nainital district -- urgent roadside safety repairs and the identification of a municipal waste dumping site. Hearing the matter, a bench of Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay recorded the state’s assurance that damaged crash barriers were being repaired on priority and directed that the work be completed in line with its submission.In its April 8 order, the court noted a status report filed via affidavit by the executive engineer, provincial division, PWD, Nainital, stating that repairs were already underway. The state counsel also submitted written instructions dated April 7 reiterating this. The court specifically directed that on the Nainital-Haldwani route, between Bhowali and Kainchidham, repairs to crash barriers and parapets be completed within 15 days.The second issue before the court pertained to the Nagar Palika Parishad, Nainital, and the proposed construction of an approach road to a municipal waste collection and dumping site. Counsel for the state informed the bench that the deputy conservator of forest, Nainital forest division, had conveyed that permission for felling trees could be granted only by the central govt, as the construction of the approach road would qualify as a “non-forest activity”, a matter falling within the centre’s jurisdiction.Taking note of this position, the high court permitted the Nagar Palika Parishad to approach the central govt for the necessary clearance. Simultaneously, the court directed the district magistrate to examine whether any alternative land was available near the main road that could be used for a waste collection and dumping facility without requiring central approval, in order to expedite the process.The matter has been listed after four weeks, with the court directing the concerned respondents to file status reports on both issues.