The Uttarakhand High Court heard a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning unauthorized constructions being carried out in Rishikesh, Dehradun, in violation of approved building plans. During the hearing held today, the Garhwal Commissioner appeared before the court via virtual mode and informed that necessary action regarding the irregularities in unauthorized constructions by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) would be taken within a month. The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 5.
In a previous hearing, the court had asked the Garhwal Commissioner to appear and explain on what basis the MDDA was approving maps by compounding unauthorized constructions.
It is important to note that Pankaj Agarwal, a resident of Rishikesh, along with others, filed the PIL stating that some individuals in Rishikesh are carrying out illegal constructions contrary to the approved maps. Initially, MDDA took action and sealed the structures, but shortly after, an Assistant Engineer (AE) of the authority lifted the seal and approved the construction through compounding.
The petitioners have requested the court to halt such illegal constructions to help preserve the environment.
