The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the installation of safety fencing at Khurpatal View Point and other dangerous bends on Nainital’s mountain roads within 15 days. The direction came during a hearing on a public interest petition concerning road safety, cleanliness and environmental management in the hill town.
The case also examined steps taken by the administration around Bara Pathar and Khurpatal. In an affidavit filed before the court, officials said temporary stalls and mobile food vans had been moved from those areas to Narayan Nagar parking.
Officials further stated that mechanical waste management had begun twice a week to help keep roads and tourist locations clean. However, the petitioner’s lawyer, Pankaj Miglani, challenged the adequacy of the administration’s compliance report.
Court seeks clarity on compliance and plastic use
Miglani argued that the affidavit did not clearly establish whether earlier court directions had been implemented. He also raised the issue of single-use plastic, saying it continued to be used widely despite the ban and was contributing to pollution.
The High Court gave the state government’s lawyer 3 weeks to clarify the position on compliance with the directions and the status of the plastic ban. The court also instructed the Court Commissioner to visit the relevant sites and verify the claims made in the affidavit.
This verification will provide an independent assessment of whether the reported relocation of vendors, cleanliness measures and other steps have actually been carried out on the ground. The court’s direction leaves the administration’s claims subject to that inspection.
Mobile food van operators’ plea rejected
During the hearing, the court rejected in full the recall application filed by mobile food van operators. The operators had argued that tourist footfall at Narayan Nagar parking was low and that the relocation was affecting their livelihoods.
The court’s decision means the vendors’ request to revisit the earlier action was not accepted during this hearing. The fencing work, the site inspection and the state’s clarification on plastic use now remain key next steps in the proceedings.
Conclusion
The High Court has set a 15-day deadline for fencing at dangerous Nainital locations and ordered verification of the administration’s compliance claims, while seeking further clarity on the single-use plastic ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where will safety fencing be installed?
Safety fencing will be installed at Khurpatal View Point and other dangerous bends on Nainital’s mountain roads.
Q. What deadline has the High Court set for the fencing?
The work has been directed to be completed within 15 days.
Q. Where were the temporary stalls and mobile food vans moved?
The administration said they were shifted from near Bara Pathar and Khurpatal to Narayan Nagar parking.
Q. What action has been ordered to verify the administration’s claims?
The Court Commissioner has been directed to visit the sites and check the claims made in the affidavit.
Q. What did the court say about the plastic ban?
The state government’s lawyer has been given 3 weeks to clarify compliance with the directions and the status of the single-use plastic ban.
Q. What happened to the mobile food van operators’ recall application?
The High Court rejected the recall application in full. The operators had said low tourist numbers at Narayan Nagar parking were affecting their livelihoods.
