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NGT seeks details on Char Dham project
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday called upon the Centre to submit a detailed status report on the ongoing and planned work on Char Dham all-weather highway being constructed in Uttarakhand’s Gharwal region.
The Rs 12,000 crore project aims at widening the existing 900 km two-lane into a four lane highway with all weather connectivity to the base camps of famous pilgrimage sites Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, situated in the higher reaches of the Himalayas.
On Tuesday, the Tribunal also pulled up Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on disposal of muck into river valleys as part of the on-going work on the project and expressed dissatisfaction’ about it. The ministry will file the status report by May 28.
A bench, headed by Acting Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim, also made the observations while hearing an on-going plea that has alleged that the ministry has executed the project without obtaining proper environmental clearance.
Using a loop-hole, the project is being executed by obtaining clearances by dividing the entire project into segment rather than going for a consolidated environmental clearance.
“We would like you to ensure that the muck disposal in valley does not happen. We have seen videos and photographs and we are far from satisfied. Prima facie, the muck is going beyond retaining walls,” the bench observed.
Last week, during the hearing the petitioner had showed videos of muck being dumped on a stretch of the project in Mandakini valley near Rudraprayag.
Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, appearing for the petitioner, told the NGT that the work carried out on the project till now is ‘blatantly illegal’ and that it was a malafide exercise to divide the project into fragments.
Accepting this, in an affidavit submitted on behalf of the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni stated that there might have been some irregularities in the disposal of muck at initial stage and therefore ministry as well as state government has taken stringent strength measures and also imposed penalties on the contractor.
However, the ASG also added that the project is of national importance having regard to the fact that these are border areas.
“Expansion of roads is required in larger national interest and there cannot be any compromise on this. While preparing DPR for the project, environmental studies have been undertaken and those concerns are also addressed.” Nadkarni informed the green courth, adding that the Centre has no qualms in applying for environmental clearance but work if left incomplete will cause problems due to the impending monsoon. A
The matter will be heard again on May 28.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.