NGT tells HP to speed up Palchan-Rohtang ropeway project

THE TRIBUNAL HAS SOUGHT A FINAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FROM THE HIMACHAL GOVT, LISTED MATTER FOR NEXT HEARING ON OCTOBER 26

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed the Himachal Pradesh government to expedite process for the ropeway from Palchan to Rohtang and asked the chief secretary to monitor compliance.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted there was also a delay in grant of electric connection to the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Marhi and status of upgrade of STP at Manali is not known.

“It is seen that the ropeway project has not been completed for want of requisite environmental clearance. Steps are in progress for setting up of STP at Marhi and upgrade of STP at Manali, for parking facilities, solid waste management facility, nature park, electric buses. The said steps need to be expedited. “Steps for solid waste management facility at Manali and other pending jobs need to be expedited. Let all the same be monitored at the level of Himachal chief secretary and compliance ensured in a time-bound manner. Final compliance report may be filed before the next date by e-mail,” the bench said. The matter is listed for next hearing on October 26.

The direction came after the Kullu deputy commissioner told the tribunal that the project head of Manali Ropeway Pvt Ltd has informed that the stage-II / final approval has been given by the environment ministry and final order of diversion of forest land shall be passed by the state after obtaining permission of the Supreme Court.

The Himachal government told the NGT that it has filed an application in the apex court seeking permission for this project as it had imposed interim stay/ban on the processing of forest land diversion cases.