SC issues notices to Centre, Uttarakhand on road through sanctuary

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI)The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and Uttarakhand on an application seeking to restrain the authorities from constructing a road passing through Rajaji National Park, a bird sanctuary in Hrishikesh, in violation of the apex court order.

A bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia issued notices after hearing the applicant's counsel A K Sahoo, who contended before the court that the government had decided to construct a road through the sanctuary which would affect the width of the Ganga. Besides, the road was being constructed without taking prior permission from Union Environment and Forest Ministry the applicant claimed.

The apex court also directed the Centrally Empowered Committee to submit its report on the issue within two weeks. The width of the Ganga is at present 300 meters which will be narrowed down if the road is not stopped, he said.

The applicant has also alleged that as per directions of this court no construction can be done in a reserved forest area without prior permission from the apex court.

UNI AKS/SC AM MSJ RN2257