HC tells ministry to resolve Pinjore-Baddi fourlaning row

Our Correspondent

Shimla, October 12

The High Court has directed the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to convene a meeting of Chief Secretaries of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on the issue of fourlaning of Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh stretch of National Highway No 21-A.

The court passed this order on a public interest litigation pertaining to fourlaning of the Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh stretch of the national highway.

During the course of hearing it was informed to the court that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has an objection against the rate of land acquisition as determined in Haryana and HP.

While passing this order a division bench comprising the Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel further directed the Union Ministry to convene a meeting within three weeks and make an arrangement to resolve the dispute.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant further observed, “In our considered view, the National Highways Act, 1956, provides an effective mechanism for determination of cost of acquisition and such a remedy can be availed by NHAI as well as land owners.” The court further said that “the project should not be stalled or delayed on account of such a dispute.”

The court further clarified that “If the stalemate continues, the ministry shall consider the desirability of according its approval to the NHAI to proceed with the project without prejudice to the rights of the parties for re-determination of the compensation amount.”

The court directed the ministry to file its compliance report on or before November 30.