The High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of reports regarding the unscientific disposal of solid waste within Dharamsala town.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, officials of the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation, Dharamsala, to submit their respective reports before the next date of hearing.
During the hearing, the HC observed that garbage was allegedly being dumped along the highway below the HRTC workshop.
The Bench also directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dharamsala, to inspect the site and submit a report before the HC.
During the proceedings, the HC took note of the poor condition of a stretch of the state highway near Kangra, where tunnels are currently under construction to reduce travel distance. The Bench observed that the road appeared to have been neglected on the assumption that it would become redundant once the tunnels become operational.
Consequently, the HC impleaded the Superintending Engineer, HPPWD, Kangra Circle, as a respondent and directed him to file an affidavit on the condition of the road before the next hearing.
The Secretary, DLSA, Kangra at Dharamsala, has also been directed to inspect the affected stretch, take photographs and submit a report highlighting its condition. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 2.
The HC’s intervention seeks to address concerns relating to environmental protection and the maintenance of public infrastructure in Kangra district.
