(Tribune)
Decks have been cleared for the ambitious Chardham highway project for all-weather connectivity to four holy towns of Uttarakhand with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) disposing of a plea alleging that the road widening work was being carried out in violation of the green laws.The Uttarakhand government and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) assured a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar that they would carry out the project after due compliance with the laws, especially the Bhagirathi eco- sensitive zone notification of December 18, 2012.They also told the green panel that during the project’s implementation, they would ensure that no muck is thrown either into the river or in the forest areas down the hill.
The four pilgrimage towns to be connected by the 900 km- long highway are Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.“In view of the statement made, nothing survives in this application and the same is disposed of, without any order as to cost.“We make it clear that in the event (of) violation of any law or breach of the statement as made before the tribunal, the applicant would have the right to approach the tribunal, in accordance with law,” the bench said.
