Balotra Road's Stretch on Luni River Bed to Be Raised on Pillars or Culverts: Rajasthan High Court

A society, Pradushan Nivaran and Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti, and two individuals filed the writ petition in the public interest against the State (Public Works Department), Balotra's District Collector and Nagar Parishad Commissioner, and the Tehsildar, Pachpadra (cause title; para 2). They said the respondents, to ease Balotra's traffic, had built a public road from Chhitariyon Ka Morcha to Megha Highway largely on the Luni river bed, as a Commissioner's report filed in Court reflected, which would hamper the river's free flow (paras 3-4). They sought an expert committee to demarcate the site and nearby khasras, a halt to construction meanwhile and proceedings against those responsible; at the hearing they asked for the river-bed stretch to be removed (paras 2, 4).

The order records the State's response and the parties' agreement, not findings on the river bed. The Additional Advocate General opposed the petition: the road was built to meet Balotra's traffic congestion, mostly on khatedari land or Municipal Council land, and only some part ran over the Luni's bed (para 5). He then stated that the portion over the river bed would be elevated on pillars or provided with culverts so that the river's natural flow remains unobstructed (para 5). He added that a sharp turn in the area marked 'K and L' on the map had become accident-prone and would be rectified, and asked for time (para 6). The petitioners accepted these statements (para 7). On that basis the Court directed the respondents to elevate the road on pillars or provide suitable culverts where it passes through the river bed, and to rectify the road through areas 'K and L' to prevent accidents (para 8). It made no finding on the road's extent on the river bed, did not order removal, and did not separately decide the expert committee, the halt on construction or action against officials (paras 2, 4, 8).