The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and others on a petition claiming lack of protection work on the Gangotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
The Bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel passed the orders on a petition claiming that NHIDCL failed to take action for the construction of a landslide protection gallery, slope protection work and river protection work.
Noting that a substantial issue relating to the compliance of provisions of environmental laws was involved in the matter, the Tribunal issued notice to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; NHIDCL and the Uttarakhand government.
It recorded in its order the submissions made by the counsel for the petitioner referring to some communications by the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi recognising the need for such works and the need for constituting a committee for the purpose.
The Bench quoted a media report, which said the Gangotri National Highway in Uttarkashi was facing a significant threat due to rising levels of the Ganga Bhagirathi river during monsoon.
Land subsidence and landslide activities, triggered by the river’s force have caused considerable damage to the highway at three major locations namely Chinyalisaur, Matli and Badethi Chungi, it added.
The Tribunal observed that the petitioner’s counsel had referred to a communication from an official of NHIDCL in Uttarkashi regarding the need for construction of a landslide protection gallery and slope protection works including cattle fence at Barethi village in the district.
It directed the Uttarkashi DM to carry out a spot inspection and submit the report reflecting the correct status and extent of the need for construction of landslide protection gallery, slope protection works and river protection work as also the action, if any, taken by NHIDCL in this regard.
Directing that a report be submitted by the DM within eight weeks, the tribunal listed the matter on January 23 for further proceedings.
Advocate Gaurav Bansal had filed the plea on behalf of the petitioner.