Alfaaz- The Words
Srinagar: National Green Tribunal, which is hearing a case into alleged irregularities vis-a-vis construction of Handwara-Bangus road project, has directed Administrative Secretary Public Works Roads & Buildings Department Jammu and Kashmir to appear in person on next hearing.
The petitioner Rasikh Rasool Bhat, as per the NGT has alleged that illegal extraction of gravel in the stream of local Talri Nallah of Rajwar area is being done and environmental norms are violated with regard to the execution of work of Handwara-Bangus road project (state highway) at Rajwar Forest Area of Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir.
“It is further alleged that illegal extraction has been done for utilisation in the construction of the road with the knowledge of the authorities and that more than 25000 lush green forest trees have been cut/uprooted, big mountains have been blasted, and more than 14 hectares of forest land is being used to construct the road without any permission and environmental clearance.”
The Tribunal said that it issued a notice to the respondents on 21.02.2024. “Though notice was duly served and the matter was subsequently taken up on 25.04.2024, 07.08.2024 and 19.11.2024, no reply on behalf of respondent number 2 -Administrative Secretary Public works Roads and Buildings Department, UT of J&K and respondent number 5 – Executive Engineer Public Works, R&B Division Handwara, J&K have been filed,” underscored the tribunal, as per Alfaaz – The Words.
Maintaining that it has been pointed out that these respondents, (number 2 and number 5) are the main respondents responsible for the alleged violation, the Tribunal in its order further said that, “Hence we direct respondent number two, Administrative Secretary, Public works Roads and Buildings Department, UT of J&K, to appear on the next date of hearing and apprise us about the allegation and the alleged violation.”
The tribunal, a statutory body in India that deals with expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and other natural resources, has listed the next date of hearing on April 4, 2025.
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