Leaders Urge Cancellation of Forest Clearances for Uttarakhand Road Widening Projects

Veteran leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and Karan Singh have urged Union ministers to cancel forest clearances for two road widening stretches—Netala bypass and Jhala-Jangla—in Uttarakhand's Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone, citing increased disaster risks and ecological concerns. They demand fresh environmental and disaster risk assessments and propose limiting road width to 5.5 meters, aligning with local and scientific recommendations. The leaders argue the clearances violate Supreme Court panel guidelines and constitutional mandates amid the region's heightened vulnerability.