Submit rehab plan in 2 months: Supreme Court to Uttarakhand Govt in Haldwani case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Uttarakhand Government to submit a concrete proposal in two months to rehabilitate 50,000 people – mostly Muslims —who have allegedly encroached on railway land in Haldwani.

The direction came from a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant after the Uttarakhand Government submitted that in compliance with the court’s earlier order, a joint meeting of the state, Railways and other stakeholders was held and the process of identifying the land was in progress.

“The process of identifying the strip of land which is required immediately or which will be required in due course of time for completion of the (Railway) project has commenced. Similarly, the matter for rehabilitation of those who are likely to be affected is

also under active consideration and given two months’ time, a concrete proposal shall be placed on record,” the Bench noted in its order.

While hearing the Centre’s plea seeking vacation of the top court’s January 5, 2023, order staying the Uttarakhand High Court order for removal of encroachments from 29 acres claimed by the Railways in Haldwani, the Bench had earlier said the state government would have to provide the scheme for rehabilitation of those affected. The Railways submitted that a retaining wall protecting the railway tracks was washed away by the violent flow of the Ghuala river during the 2023 monsoon and requested the Bench to urgently make available a strip of the land to facilitate its operations and expand its infrastructure.

On behalf of the Uttarakhand, senior advocate Balbir Singh said around 4,500 families lived on the land and financial arrangements had to be made between the Railways and the state for their relocation.