Now Reading: Himachal HC halts 144-metre road in Mashobra forest area
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Himachal HC halts 144-metre road in Mashobra forest area
The Himachal Pradesh high court has suspended with immediate effect the construction of a 144-metre link road from the Shimla-Mandi road to Schilthorn Top near Baldeyan in the Mashobra Range. The interim…
The Himachal Pradesh high court has suspended with immediate effect the construction of a 144-metre link road from the Shimla-Mandi road to Schilthorn Top near Baldeyan in the Mashobra Range. The interim order was passed by a division bench of Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C Negi while hearing a PIL filed by Nageshwar Singh Kanwar, who alleged that forest land was diverted and trees were felled to benefit a private individual.
The petition claimed that authorities approved the diversion of forest land on April 27, 2026, on the ground that the road would provide connectivity to about 245 villagers in Sadhora village. The petitioner, however, argued that Sadhora lies below the main road while the proposed stretch climbs uphill towards the residence of a private respondent, questioning the stated public purpose. The court also noted a previous order from May 11, 2026, that restricted heavy machinery use in the area without requisite sanctions.
The court directed that all construction activity remain suspended until the next hearing, which is scheduled for September 15, 2026. Additional advocate general Varun Chandel accepted notice on behalf of the state. The matter has been tagged with a connected PIL.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Forest land diversion in Himachal requires clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the state's own rules. The court's suspension suggests it found prima facie merit in the allegation that the public-purpose claim was a cover for private benefit. The September 2026 hearing is unusually far away, which may reflect the court's intention to preserve the status quo while examining records. If the allegations hold, the state could face action for misleading the court, and the private respondent might lose the road. The key signal will be whether the state files a reply before the next date.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
