Army requires widened roads in Chardham highway project, govt tells SC

01 Nov 2021 CW Team

On Friday, the Centre told the Supreme Court that its plea asking recall of an earlier order of the court is heard on an urgent basis as the Army requires widened roads in the Chardham highway project, which goes up to the China border because of the difficulties faced there.

The strategic 900-km Chardham highway project plans to render all-weather connectivity to four holy towns -- Kedarnath, Gangotri, Badrinath and Yamunotri -- in Uttarakhand.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and D Y Chandrachud was notified by Attorney General K K Venugopal that the Ministry of Defence has registered an application asking for the recall of an earlier order.

They want that application to be heard urgently. Army requires a widening of the border roads in the northern sector because of the issues there, Venugopal said, adding that the court had earlier said the width should not be over 5.5 metres.

The bench ordered the registry to ask for instruction from the Chief Justice of India and register the issue before the appropriate bench along with other petitions.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by an NGO Citizens for Green Doon' asking for order to prevent the felling of trees without approvals on the Ganeshpur-Dehradun Road (NH-72A), which is a part of the Delhi-Dehradun expressway.

The SC noted that once the forest approval is provided, there is no need for separate clearance for tree felling.

Advocate Ritwik Dutta, appearing for the NGO, said that the NGT has said that permission is needed from the competent authority for tree felling, and in this case, there is no such approval.

The SC said that the matter would be scheduled post-Diwali break before the appropriate bench.

Image Source

Also read: Road projects of 255 km length underway in Ladakh

Infrastructure Energy

19 Sep 2025

J&K CM Rules Out Power Privatisation, Focuses on Sector Reform

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed speculation regarding privatisation of electricity in the Union Territory, emphasising that his priority is to strengthen and reform the power sector.“We are not discussing privatisation. By reducing losses, improving billing efficiency, and enhancing revenue, there will be no need for it. My vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector in J&K,” Abdullah stated.He addressed the gathering at the 58th Engineers’ Day at SKICC on Monday evening, an event honouring Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya for his pioneering contri..

Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock to Get Tech-Driven Modernisation with Finland

The Maharashtra government, in collaboration with Finland, will modernise Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock using advanced technology, state minister Nitesh Rane announced on Wednesday.Rane met a delegation of Finnish officials and representatives of Finnish companies at the dock to discuss strategic plans for upgrading the facility in south Mumbai, according to an official statement.Built in the 19th century, Sassoon Dock is one of Mumbai’s oldest and busiest fishing harbours. Operations currently exceed its original capacity, raising concerns over hygiene, odour, fish handling standards, an..

Agarwal Industrial Wins Rs 3.3 Billion IOCL Bitumen Tender

Agarwal Industrial Corporation rose 3.84 per cent to Rs 945.65 after announcing it had secured a prestigious tender from Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) worth Rs 3.3 billion.In a regulatory filing during market hours, the company confirmed it had won the tender to supply Bulk Bitumen (VG-30 and VG-40 grades) to IOCL’s Kakinada locations.The firm quantity under the award totals around 60,500 tonnes across 11 parcels, while the optional quantity is approximately 33,000 tonnes across six parcels. This brings the total awarded quantity to roughly 93,500 tonnes. At current market prices, the firm o..