Summary:
Haridwar: Taking cognisance of the several roadkill on NH-74 in the past few years, the principal bench of NGT headed by chairman A K Goel, on Thursday, ordered National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to build flyovers on the 30 km ‘killer’ stretch, which has seen highest number of incidents of vehicles hitting animals.The bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal in 2018 alleging that the ongoing four-lane expansion of NH-74 will impact the conservation and protection of wildlife and biodiversity in the region. The plea cited a survey conducted by Wildlife Institute of India which found that the 30 km stretch, which cuts through Shyampur, Rasiyabad and Chidiyapur forest ranges of the Haridwar Forest Division, have several ‘roadkill’ zones.During the hearing, NHAI counsel informed the court that the highway body will float tenders for two flyovers —290 metres long and 1200 metres long — and the same will be completed within a year in a bid to curb roadkill incidents on the stretch.The state government has been told to submit its objections to the judgement, if any, within three weeks..