The Uttarakhand High Court directed that the State should particularly lay emphasis on ensuring that there is no spread of water borne and other infectious diseases in the Laksar, District Haridwar and proper hygiene is restored and maintained in the area.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) registered Suo Motu by the Court in the light of the letter dated 14.07.2023, received from several members of the High Court Bar Association, regarding the emergent situation created in the town of Laksar, District Haridwar due to the flooding of the area in question on account of the incessant rains being experienced in the current monsoon season.
The counsel for the Nagar Palika Parishad Laksar has tendered in Court, and read out the point-wise report of the action taken by the Administration for remedying the situation.
On the other hand, Shubhr Rastogi, Advocate, who is a resident of Laksar, has joined the proceedings virtually. He states that, firstly, no warning was issued of the impending flood, and secondly, after the town was flooded, there was no immediate relief available to the residents, either in the form of food or drinking water. He claims that even when the same was received, it was highly inadequate, and it was provided only to certain areas, and not to the people residing in the entire affected area.
It is pointed out by Rastogi that the drainage in the Laksar town is badly affected, due to which, the water is still logged in several areas.
The Court directed the Administration to look into the said grievance and remedy the same immediately.
The report read out by Ashutosh Thakral also refers to the steps being taken to prevent spreading of water borne and other infectious diseases.
The Court further directed that a further status report be filed by the Administration with regard to the progress made in the endeavour to restore normalcy in the area, within ten days.
Matter is listed on 07.08.2023 for further hearing.