Monumental neglect: HC takes Centre,state to task over Haldighati, Rakt Talai

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court's principal seat in Jodhpur has taken suo motu cognisance of a TOI special report on the deteriorating condition of Haldighati Pass and Rakt Talai in Rajsamand district, expressing concern over encroachments, pollution, administrative neglect and unregulated tourism. The court will hold the next hearing on Jan 28.The TOI report, titled ‘Highway to Haldighati: Where Chetak's leap meets truck's roar', was published on Dec 14. A division bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjeet Purohit took cognisance on Dec 16. The order was uploaded Tuesday. The bench has given directions preventing construction or expansion activity at the sites without prior permission from competent authorities. The court ordered a clean-up drive within 15 days and directed officials to deploy adequate manpower to remove litter, weed and accumulated waste.
The high court also directed Union culture and environment secretaries; the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); the superintending archaeologist of ASI, Jodhpur Circle; the National Highways Authority of India; and the state govt to file detailed affidavits on steps taken to protect and preserve the two historic sites.The affidavits must contain clear timelines for implementing the proposed Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit, status of the detailed project report (DPR), and concrete measures to address encroachments, pollution, restoration and ecological damage.As interim measures, the court has imposed a temporary ban on vehicular parking on historic slopes, ordered strict enforcement of anti-littering fines, directed diversion of sewage flows, and instructed authorities to resolve water logging issues at Rakt Talai within 30 days. It also ordered appointing caretakers for round-the-clock monitoring of the sites to prevent misuse, vandalism and further encroachments.The bench called for installing anti-litter bins and safety railings, designate parking zones, take soil stabilisation measures, plant trees, restore memorials and ponds, put up interpretive signboards, provide guided tours and form oversight committees.The TOI report flagged rapid degradation of heritage sites linked to Maharana Pratap and the 1576 Battle of Haldighati. Noting that the locations are symbols of national pride, the high court said they are facing serious threats to cultural, historical and ecological integrity, with the risk of irreversible damage.Senior advocates Lakshya Singh Udawat, Taniya Tuli and Yashvi Khandelwal were appointed amicus curiae to assist the court. While district-level officials were directed to file replies, the court mentioned Udaipur officials even though the two sites fall in Rajsamand district. "Any discrepancy will be brought to the notice of the court. We will seek to implead the authorities concerned from Rajsamand district," advocate Khandelwal said.