Shimla- High Court of Himachal Pradesh has impleaded the State government for rampant damage caused by uncontrolled and unscientific blasting during the execution of the Luhri Hydroelectric Project, Phase-1, in Rampur, Shimla district.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, has treated the matter as a Public Interest Litigation, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Recognizing the urgency, the court has ordered immediate action to mitigate the threat posed by the dumping of muck and the damage inflicted on the rock above village Narola, Panchayat Neerath, Tehsil Rampur Bushahr.
Luhri project is being executed by the SJVN on the river Satluj. .
To ensure a comprehensive assessment of the site, the court has called upon the expertise of the Geology Department of IIT Roorkee.
The Registrar of IIT Roorkee has been instructed to deploy teaching faculty specializing in geology to inspect the affected area and report their findings.
The government has been directed to allocate a sum of Rs. one lakh for the tentative expenses associated with the inspection.
Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority in Kinnaur at Rampur Bushahr has been entrusted with submitting a detailed report on the muck dumping and the potential threats to the lives and properties of the residents. The court has set a deadline of July 31, 2023, for the submission of this report.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 3, 2023.
This indicates the court's resolve to swiftly address the issue and hold all responsible parties accountable for their actions.
