Char Dham panel chief Ravi Chopra resigns from his position
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Char Dham panel chief Ravi Chopra resigns from his position

Ravi Chopra, a veteran environmentalist, resigned from the position of chairman of the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Supreme Court on the Char Dham project. He states that his belief that HPC would protect the fragile Himalayan ecology is shattered.

In his letter of resignation to the Supreme Court’s secretary-general on January 27, he referred to the December 2021 order of the apex court that had accepted the wider road configuration to meet the defense requirements, instead of the recommendation from HPC. In September 2020 it was accepted by the Supreme Court in its earlier order.

Chopra added that the judgment also confined HPC’s role only to oversee the two Non-Defence roads. In the past, HPC‘s directions and recommendations have been ignored or tardily responded to by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

The experience fails to inspire confidence that responses of the ministry will be any different even in terms of the two Non-Defence roads.

The Honorable Court also gave permission for seeking legal relief for the widening of the highways. In these circumstances, Chopra does not see any purpose to continue to head the committee or indeed, furthermore to be a part of it.

The letter also mentioned that Chopra was compelled by an inner voice to help in restoring the Himalayan environment and livelihoods to accept the position in September 2019, despite his age. And now the same inner voice is compelling him to move out.

Image Source

Also read: MoRTH inaugurates rail-cum-road bridge project of Rs 696 cr

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

Ravi Chopra, a veteran environmentalist, resigned from the position of chairman of the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Supreme Court on the Char Dham project. He states that his belief that HPC would protect the fragile Himalayan ecology is shattered. In his letter of resignation to the Supreme Court’s secretary-general on January 27, he referred to the December 2021 order of the apex court that had accepted the wider road configuration to meet the defense requirements, instead of the recommendation from HPC. In September 2020 it was accepted by the Supreme Court in its earlier order. Chopra added that the judgment also confined HPC’s role only to oversee the two Non-Defence roads. In the past, HPC‘s directions and recommendations have been ignored or tardily responded to by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The experience fails to inspire confidence that responses of the ministry will be any different even in terms of the two Non-Defence roads. The Honorable Court also gave permission for seeking legal relief for the widening of the highways. In these circumstances, Chopra does not see any purpose to continue to head the committee or indeed, furthermore to be a part of it. The letter also mentioned that Chopra was compelled by an inner voice to help in restoring the Himalayan environment and livelihoods to accept the position in September 2019, despite his age. And now the same inner voice is compelling him to move out. Image Source Also read: MoRTH inaugurates rail-cum-road bridge project of Rs 696 cr

Next Story
Real Estate

AGM Vijaylaxmi launches Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark

AGM Vijaylaxmi Group has launched Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark, a mixed-use commercial development in Goregaon East, Mumbai. The project includes contemporary office spaces and a high-street retail component designed to support businesses, retailers and professionals.Located along the Western Express Highway, Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark is planned as a G+25-storey commercial tower. It offers office spaces ranging from 545 sq ft to 3,200 sq ft, with a 3.60 metre floor-to-floor height aimed at improving spatial comfort, natural light and operational efficiency.The project features a high-street retail boulevard ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Manglam Group to Develop Sheraton Hotel in Jaipur

Manglam Group has signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a Sheraton hotel on the Jaipur–Ajmer Highway in Jaipur. The project will feature 220 keys and is being developed with an investment of around Rs 3.5 billion across more than 300,000 sq ft.The hotel marks Manglam Group’s third collaboration with Marriott International and forms part of its Rs 10 billion hospitality investment roadmap. The agreement was signed by Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group and CEO, Manglam Spa and Resorts, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Marriott Interna..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Warehousing Show 2026 opens at YashoBhoomi

India's warehousing, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem came together as the 15th edition of India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2026 opened at YashoBhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi on June 25 (Thursday). Organised by RX India, the three-day event will run from 25-27 June 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and supply chain professionals under one roof. It also features a two-day knowledge conference that will run alongside the exhibition. Inaugurated by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary - Logistics, DPIIT..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement