The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the respondents to file their replies within three weeks on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging that construction debris is being dumped into the Kosi river and its reservoir in Vimola village of Almora district. The PIL also raised concerns over damage to the village's main road.
Court Directives
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and the parties involved in the construction activity to file affidavits. The court also permitted the petitioner to file a rejoinder to the administration's response.
Administration's Reply
In its reply, the administration stated that the construction activity in question is illegal and that debris generated from it had been dumped into the river and reservoir. It added that a penalty had been imposed in connection with the dumping.
Petitioner's Allegations
According to the petition, filed by Almora-based social activist Prakash Chandra Joshi, villagers, including residents of Siyalidhar, have been dumping construction debris into the Kosi river, causing damage to the river ecosystem. The petition also alleged that the debris is affecting pumping machinery used to supply drinking water to Almora city.
Threat to River and Water Supply
The PIL contended that continued dumping poses a threat to the river, which serves as a lifeline for more than one lakh residents of the district. It alleged that the activity is contaminating the river and could disrupt the drinking water supply, particularly during the monsoon season.
The petition also warned that the accumulation of debris in the riverbed could increase the risk of flooding in downstream areas during heavy rains and sought directions to stop the dumping activity.
