The Uttarakhand High Court has taken a stern stance on illegal encroachments affecting rural connectivity. A division bench has directed the District Magistrate of Haridwar to submit a comprehensive report within a fortnight detailing the actions taken to clear encroachments from a vital village road in Roorkee.
Court Directs Swift Action on Encroachment
On Monday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay issued a clear directive to Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit. The court ordered him to file a detailed report within two weeks on the steps taken to remove encroachments from a rural road in Nathukhedi village, Roorkee. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for two weeks later.
PIL Highlights Severe Inconvenience to Villagers
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Brajpal, a resident of Nathukhedi. The petition brought to light a critical issue: the only access road to the village has been severely narrowed due to illegal constructions. According to the petitioner, a boundary wall was built on the road, drastically reducing its width.
The road's original width of 12-18 feet has been shrunk to a mere 5 feet, causing significant hardship for the local residents. The petition argued that this encroachment severely impedes daily movement and access for the villagers.
Administrative Inaction Despite Previous Report
The petitioner informed the court that a prior investigation by the revenue inspector had already confirmed the encroachment was on the rural road. A report stating this fact was submitted. However, the district administration has failed to act on this report and remove the illegal structure.
Frustrated by the lack of administrative action, the petitioner sought the judiciary's intervention to ensure the encroachments are demolished and the road is restored to its original width. The High Court's order is seen as a crucial step towards resolving this long-standing issue and upholding the right of villagers to unhindered access.
The court's directive puts the onus squarely on the Haridwar district administration to demonstrate concrete action. The upcoming report will be scrutinized in the next hearing, determining the future course of this case concerning public infrastructure and governance.
