38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, August 29, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Supreme Court Overrules Himachal HC, Greenlights Gaggal Airport Expansion Amid Land and Safety Debates

By LAWSTREET NEWS NETWORK      23 January, 2024 12:35 PM      0 Comments
Supreme Court Overrules Himachal HC Greenlights Gaggal Airport Expansion Amid Land and Safety Debates

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday suspended a Himachal High Court order, which stalled the Gaggal airport expansion project in Kangra district.

A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notice on a plea by the state government challenging the validity of the High Court's order of January 9, 2024.

While staying the High Court's order, the bench explained this will, however, not preclude the high court from hearing the writ petition on merits.

It was submitted before the top court that the high court order brought the entire project to a standstill despite the state governments categorical assurance regarding a relief and rehabilitation process.

The high court order was passed on a plea filed by some members of the Gaggal Airport Expansion Affected Society Welfare Committee.

The high court stayed the airport expansion project.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state government authorities, submitted that the state was contemplating a fresh techno-economic feasibility study.

The bench stayed the operation of the high court order.

The high court had ordered a status quo till February 29, the next date of hearing, on all aspects of the matter, including the relief and rehabilitation process, taking possession of the land notified for acquisition and the demolition of structures on it.

Rohatgi submitted that of the three airports in Himachal Pradesh, the one in Kangra is the only facility where expansion is a possibility.

He said that the high court order has stalled everything despite the advocate general making a statement that that neither any demolition will take place nor anyone be dispossessed.

Opposing the project, a counsel claimed the place in question falls under a seismic zone.

There is already an airport and this is the expansion plan, the bench said.

A plea was made before the high court, claiming that since the government was reconsidering the matter, it would not be proper to permit the state to proceed with taking possession of the land notified for acquisition or demolish structures on it or proceed with the relief and rehabilitation process.

According to reports, more than 2,500 families were to be uprooted due to the airport expansion project.

The government has notified the acquisition of 105 acres (about 65 acres of private land and 40 acres of government land) for the airport expansion.

The Central Finance Commission had sanctioned Rs 400 crore for the expansion of the Gaggal airport during the stint of the previous BJP government. In the Budget passed in the Assembly, the state government has made a provision of Rs 2,000 crore for the airport project.

The Gaggal airport is proposed to be expanded in two phases. The Airports Authority of India has decided to expand the Gaggal airport strip from 1,372 metres to 1,900 metres in the first phase. In the second phase, the strip length is proposed to be increased from 1,900 metres to 3,110 metres.



Share this article:

About:

Explore Comprehensive Legal Reporting with LawStreet Journal: Your Go-To Source for Supreme Court an...Read more

Follow:
TwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations

After A.K. Bassi, another CBI officer who was investigating corruption allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Supreme Court.

Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land

SC bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has allotted the dispute site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, while directing the government to allot an alternate 5 acre land within Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.

Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi

The court guided all states to document their response to the commission's report within four weeks. If any of the states fail to file a response, it will be presumed that they have no objections to the recommendations made by the commission, the court said.

Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts

On April 18, 2020, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended new Chief Justices for three High Courts. Justice Dipankar Datta was proposed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, succeeding Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari. Justice Biswanath Somadder was nominated as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, while Justice Mohammad Rafiq was recommended for transfer as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

TRENDING NEWS

supreme-court-appoints-two-new-judges-justice-alok-aradhe-and-future-cji-vipul-pancholi
Trending Judiciary
Supreme Court Appoints Two New Judges: Justice Alok Aradhe & Future CJI Vipul Pancholi

SC gets two new judges — Justices Alok Aradhe and Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, with Pancholi set to be CJI in 2031. Oath administered by CJI Gavai.

29 August, 2025 02:23 PM
sc-to-hear-on-monday-pleas-to-extend-september-1-deadline-for-claims-objections-in-bihar-sir
Trending Judiciary
SC to hear on Monday pleas to extend September 8 deadline for claims, objections in Bihar SIR [Read Order]

SC to hear on Monday pleas seeking extension of Sept 8 deadline for filing claims, objections in Bihar voter list revision.

29 August, 2025 02:32 PM

TOP STORIES

adult-woman-free-to-live-with-married-man-personal-autonomy-prevails-over-morality
Trending Judiciary
Adult Woman Free To Live With Married Man, Personal Autonomy Prevails Over Morality: Madhya Pradesh HC [Read Order]

Adult woman has right to live with married man, rules MP High Court; says personal autonomy outweighs moral concerns.

23 August, 2025 04:00 PM
sc-issues-notice-to-bci-on-plea-against-3-yr-moratorium-on-new-centre-for-legal-education
Trending Judiciary
SC issues notice to BCI on plea against 3-yr moratorium on new centre for legal education

SC issues notice to BCI on plea challenging 3-year moratorium on new legal education centres, calling it arbitrary and violative of fundamental rights.

23 August, 2025 05:13 PM
punjab-and-haryana-hc-upholds-denial-of-furlough-to-life-convict-rules-temporary-release-is-a-concession-not-a-right
Trending Judiciary
Punjab and Haryana HC Upholds Denial of Furlough to Life Convict, Rules Temporary Release Is A Concession, Not A Right [Read Order]

Punjab & Haryana HC upholds denial of furlough to life convict, rules temporary release is a concession, not a right, under 2022 law.

23 August, 2025 05:16 PM
sc-restores-mandatory-20-percent-deposit-for-suspension-of-sentence-in-cheque-bounce-case
Trending Judiciary
SC Restores Mandatory 20% Deposit for Suspension of Sentence in Cheque Bounce Case [Read Order]

SC sets aside P&H HC order; rules 20% deposit mandatory for suspension of sentence in ₹8.65 crore cheque bounce case under NI Act.

25 August, 2025 12:35 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email