Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding construction of landslide protection gallery, slope and river protection work at Gangotri National Highway, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, 09/11/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sanjay Kumar Vs Union of India dated 09/11/2023.
The grievance raised by the Applicant is that National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has failed to take action for construction of landslide protection gallery, slope protection work and river protection work at Gangotri National Highway, district Uttarkashi for protection of rivers and Himalayas in Uttarakhand.
During the course of the argument, counsel for the Applicant has referred to the communication sent by General Manager-NHIDCL,PMU- Uttarkashi to Executive Director (P) Regional Office, THDC in respect of the need for construction of landslide protection gallery, slope protection works including cattle fence at Barethi, Uttarkashi. He has also referred to the communications of the District Magistrate recognizing the need for such a work and constituting the committee for this purpose but no progress has been made till now.
As per a news item, the Gangotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district is facing a significant threat due to rising levels of the Ganga Bhagirathi river during the 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.
The NGT, November 9 directed the District Magistrate, Uttarkashi to carry out the spot inspection and submit the report reflecting the correct status and extent of 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. The District Magistrate, Uttarkashi has been directed to submit the report within a period of eight weeks. The next hearing of the case is on January 23, 2024.