The Rajasthan High Court, while hearing a plea regarding construction of roads over the lakes in Udaipur, stayed the tender notices which had been issued in this regard.
In the instant case, the applicant had brought up the issue of degrading condition of lakes and other heritage sites in the city of Udaipur. Earlier, in the year 2014, Rajasthan HC had taken suo moto cognizance of the issue, however, the matter had been closed and directions for cleaning the lake had been issued.
The court further formed a committee to make sure that the directions are complied with. In the year 2019, the applicant, who also holds the position of a member in the court formed-committee, wrote numerous letters to the court highlighting the non-compliance of its directions. Again, the issue could not be resolved.
In 2021, the Udaipur Smart City project had issued tenders to for construction of an alternative road that would pass through the perimeter of Pichola Lake. The applicant again filed stay application and sought for restrain on the Udaipur Smart City project.
The applicant, through the counsel, contended that the proposed construction of the bridge would ultimately lead to the submergence of Pichola Lake that to in a “no construction zone.”
Furthermore, the counsel submitted that the proposal contradicts the Rajasthan Lakes (Protection and Development) Authority Act, 2015 as the process of laying down pillar foundations would end up in deprivation of sunlight to a significant area.
The court granted time to concerned State authorities to file reply in the matter, and for the time being, directed the authorities to not undertake any construction of road that may pass through the lakes in the Udaipur city.
Leave a Reply