Himachal High Court Warns State to Identify Proper Dumping Sites for Future Construction Projects
Shimla, August 28: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued a stern warning to the state government to identify appropriate dumping sites for future construction projects. The court emphasized that dumping should be done cautiously, ensuring debris does not fall on private land, drains, water bodies, forest areas, or catchment zones.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma highlighted that the state is already grappling with landslides due to heavy rains, and improperly dumped debris could pose a serious threat to people and property in lower-lying areas.
These directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by petitioner Sanjeevan Singh from village Motla in Chamba district. The petition raised concerns over the improper dumping of debris during the construction of a 9-kilometer link road from Motla to Sukhiyar by private contractors.
The court found that five designated dumping sites were located in catchment areas, which led to the blockage of drains. It also criticized the nominal fine initially imposed on the contractor and instead levied a penalty of ₹11,39,310, with an additional ₹9,12,630. The removal of debris from the forest land is estimated to cost ₹64 lakh.
The court directed the SDM, Bhattiyat, to file an affidavit on whether the demanded amount of ₹92,96,440 for debris removal had been sanctioned. The District Legal Services Authority Secretary in Chamba has also been instructed to carry out an inspection of the site.
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