The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a stay on unauthorized constructions in Dehradun and Rishikesh, raising serious concerns over regulatory lapses.
The court has also summoned Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey to appear via video conferencing on May 5 to clarify how the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has been permitting the continuation of construction projects that violate sanctioned building plans.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra expressed its displeasure over the role of MDDA in allowing compounding of constructions that clearly deviate from approved maps. The court has demanded an explanation from the commissioner regarding the matter and has sought accountability from the MDDA.
The case originated from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rishikesh resident Pankaj Agarwal and others, who alleged that several buildings in Dehradun and Rishikesh were being constructed in blatant violation of sanctioned plans.
The petitioners contended that while the MDDA initially took action by sealing these illegal structures, officials later removed the seals and compounded the violations, effectively legalising them after a certain period.
The petition highlighted that such unchecked illegal construction posed a significant threat to the environment and called for immediate judicial intervention to prevent further ecological damage. The court took cognizance of these concerns and imposed a halt on unauthorized construction activities until further notice.
The high court’s directive aims to ensure stricter enforcement of urban planning regulations and prevent the misuse of legal loopholes by builders and regulatory authorities. The outcome of the May 5 hearing is expected to provide further clarity on the responsibility and accountability of the concerned officials in managing urban development in Uttarakhand.
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