Top News
NGT unhappy over Chardham highway project execution
New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) Expressing dissatisfaction over the Central government’s execution of Chardham all-weather highway project in Uttarakhand, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday asked the authorities to stop dumping muck in the river.
The Tribunal also noted that the project’s execution was being done without having proper permission with regard to forest land and environment clearance.
The 900-km-long highway, which will reach Hindu pilgrimages of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, is being built through 53 separate projects rather than a single project. According to the petitioners, the project had been broken down to avoid taking clearances.
The NGT also sought a detailed list of all 480 sites designated for dumping muck as part of project and directed the Central government to submit clearances obtained to for muck dumping, which also involves forest land.
A bench headed by Acting Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim and comprising Justice S.P. Wangdi and expert member Nagin Nanda, was hearing an ongoing matter on alleged environmental violations by the Centre in executing the Rs 12,000-crore Chardham highway widening project.
The bench said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) was still vague on the issues of environmental clearances for certain stretches, slope stabilization and forest clearances it had obtained to fell trees and dump muck in the Himalayan state.
“We do realize that this project is of national importance, but why aren’t the permissions and other things in order? We have repeatedly mentioned that we have to comply with the principle of sustainable development,” Justice Rahim said.
The bench has directed the government to immediately stop muck dumping and listed the matter for Wednesday for further hearing.
–IANS
kd/nir
Top News
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.