The Supreme Court Said- Need For Better Roads On The Border
The Supreme Court said – need for better roads on the border, The needs of the army cannot be ignored. Referring to the India-China border standoff.
The SC on Tuesday wondered whether any constitutional court can set aside the need for the military to defend the country and say that protecting the environment is more important than defense needs.
On the other hand, keeping its point firmly, the government said that in view of the preparations of the enemy, we also need to be prepared in every way.
Our army needs better roads to reach the border faster. We cannot remain asleep like in 1962. The hearing in the matter remained inconclusive and will continue on Wednesday.
The court said that it cannot ignore the fact that the enemy of the country has developed infrastructure to the extent.
Our army needs better roads to the border where there has been no drastic change since the 1962 war.
The court was hearing the Centre’s plea seeking modification of its September 8, 2020 order asking the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to comply with the 2018 circular on the ambitious Chardham Highway Project.
This road goes to the China border. The strategic 900-km project aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to the four holy shrines of Uttarakhand – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
During the day-long hearing, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and Vikram Nath said it cannot deny the fact that the strategic ‘feeder’ roads leading to the China border in Uttarakhand need up-gradation.
The bench said that we cannot deny the fact that the security of the country is at stake at such a height.
The bench said there should be sustainable development and it should be balanced with the environment as the court is not unaware of the fact that these roads need to be ‘upgraded’.
Justice Chandrachud said that I have gone to the Himalayas many times for mountaineering. I have seen those roads.
These roads are such that no two vehicles can pass simultaneously. These roads are such that they need to be upgraded for the movement of heavy army vehicles.
The Supreme Court said – need for better roads on the border: There has been no major change since the 1962 war.
The bench told the counsel for the petitioner NGO that the government was not seeking permission to build an eight-lane or 12-lane highway in the mountain, but only a two-lane highway.
While seeking any official or unofficial report from the petitioners of the development on the other side of the border, the bench said that we have an enemy who has fully developed its infrastructure.
We have to look into this.
At the outset, Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, said, “There has been tremendous construction on the other side of the border.
They have prepared the infrastructure and built airstrips, helipads, roads, railway line networks which have proceeded on the assumption that they are going to live there permanently.
He said these strategic feeder roads that connect the India-China border with army camps in Dehradun and Meerut where missile bases are located.
The army needs better roads to move its heavy machinery, tanks, and artillery.
He said the country cannot afford to repeat the war-like situation of 1962 when infantry was supplied up to the Indo-China borders.
He said the September 8, 2020 order needed to be modified to enable the Army to build better roads.
He said the Army, which was actively involved in the entire process, should have brought the entire facts before the court when the order (September 8, 2020) is passed.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for NGO Citizens for Green Doon, submitted that the Himalayan region has suffered massive erosion due to the construction of the central government’s “ambitious” project.
He showed video clips of massive landslides on roads being built during the monsoon and said that the area has become fragile due to the frequent eruption of mountains.
The Supreme Court said – need for better roads on the border: The Center has urged to accept the report of HPC
The Center, in its affidavit filed earlier in the matter, had urged the apex court to accept the majority report of 21 members of the High Powered Committee (HPC), which sought 10 meters for the road to be cleared for vehicles with pucca shoulders.
It was recommended to be developed in two lanes with a wide road. The HPC is monitoring the Chardham Highway project on the widening of roads up to the India-China border in Uttarakhand.
Defense Ministry has also demanded amendment in the order.
The Supreme Court said – need for better roads on the border: Earlier, the Ministry of Defense had sought amendment in this order.
In its application, the ministry had said that it wants to amend the order and directions that national highways from Rishikesh to Mana, from Rishikesh to Gangotri, and from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh be developed in a two-lane configuration.
However, since the beginning of this year, the ground situation has changed significantly, and it has become imperative that troops and equipment should be moved rapidly from Army stations to India-China border points, the ministry said.
