Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court has ordered authorities to plant 10 saplings for every tree removed during construction or widening of a road in Sriganganagar.The court also directed authorities to count every affected tree and plant, prepare an inventory and submit a compliance report.The principal bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, while disposing of a batch of petitions concerning road construction and widening in Sriganganagar, said the plantation condition was being imposed in the larger public interest.“Trees surviving for decades or centuries provide continuous benefits to cities and surrounding communities and help future generations have a cleaner, fresher and oxygen-rich environment,” the court said.The judgement was pronounced on Aug 19 and the copy of the order was uploaded Sunday.The directions came in a dispute over properties required for construction of an 80-foot-wide road under Sriganganagar’s 1981-2001 Master Plan.The court said development and road expansion in accordance with the approved Master Plan should not remain stalled indefinitely and must be taken forward in the larger public interest, but only after following due process of law.The court directed authorities to constitute a committee of senior departmental officials within 15 days. The petitioners will thereafter get another 15 days to submit representations and objections regarding their rights and title over the properties. The committee has to provide an opportunity of hearing and pass reasoned orders in each individual case. “If the committee finds that a petitioner has valid title based on documents and the property is still required for road construction or widening, adequate compensation should be awarded according to prevailing DLC rates. Alternatively, eligible persons may be allotted land under an applicable govt scheme,” the court said.The dispute arose after authorities issued notices for removal of alleged encroachments from land shown as a proposed public road in Master Plan.Petitioners claimed lawful possession and alleged that their objections were not properly considered before eviction notices were issued.
