(The Hindu)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the government’s mandate to broaden three Himalayan highways, considered crucial by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for quick troop build-up along the Indo-China border.
The three national highways — Rishikesh to Mana, Rishikesh to Gangotri and Tanakpur to Pithoragarh act as feeder roads to the northern border with China. They are part of the Char Dham project.
These highways would now be developed in accordance with the Double Lane with Paved Shoulder (DLPS) system.
“This court in judicial review cannot second-guess the infrastructural needs of the armed forces,” a Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said in a judgment.
The verdict is based on an application filed by the MoD to modify the court’s September 8, 2020 order, which directed that mountain roads for the Char Dham Highway project should be 5.5 m in width in compliance with a 2018 circular of the Roads and Highways Ministry.
