The Kerala High Court disposed of a writ petition seeking direction to the National Highways Authority of India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and other related authorities to halt the unscientific and excessive soil extraction being carried out in Chelannoor Village of Kozhikode district. The petitioner had filed the public interest litigation on the basis of a geologist’s report which alleged that excessive soil extraction in connection with the National Highway construction from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram was causing severe environmental damage and altering the hill topography of the village. The petitioners sought judicial intervention to stop the extraction and implement adequate safety measures, including slope stabilization and related controls. The bench considered the petition and, after hearing arguments, issued an order disposing of the petition.
The High Court directed the National Highways Authority of India to ensure that each quarry operation along the national highway construction corridor publicly display permit-related information at their site. Specifically, details regarding each permit holder, expiry date of the permit, and redressal contact information must be prominently displayed. The bench clarified that this requirement would apply to all quarrying sites established for earth extraction in the project area, as mandated by the environmental oversight framework.
In its decision, the Court emphasized the public interest in transparency regarding quarry operations affecting environment and local safety. The display of permit and contact information was seen as a pragmatic measure to allow residents and concerned parties to easily access crucial details and raise concerns where required. The High Court held that ensuring visibility of this information is an administrative measure that aligns with statutory responsibilities and environmental accountability obligations.
By issuing these directions, the Court sought to facilitate community awareness and engagement in monitoring extraction activities that impact hill slopes and local ecosystems. Continuing from earlier interim orders concerning the matter, the High Court conveyed that prior monitoring and compliance mechanisms did not sufficiently address the risks posed by unauthorized or irregular quarrying. Thus, the public display requirement acts as a supplement to existing regulatory oversight, enabling greater scrutiny.
The Court explicitly did not order suspension of the quarry operations but focused on fostering regulatory transparency. It recognized that once the NHAI project was underway, extraction activities were legally sanctioned, and stoppage was not warranted unless statutory violations were proven. The geologist report had assessed altered hill morphology and environmental disturbances but did not establish manifest illegality under applicable mining and environmental laws. Consequently, the High Court declined to issue a blanket halt, but approved transparency measures as a means to empower affected communities.
In delivering its ruling, the Court referred to the applicable National Highway project framework and environmental clearance conditions. It underscored that mining or earth extraction along a National Highway route requires compliance with environmental norms including acquisition of necessary permits. The Court entrusted the NHAI and MoEF with ensuring these processes were followed and that concerns could be raised through visible channels.
The High Court further clarified that the disclosure requirement would serve both preventive and responsive regulatory functions. It would deter unauthorized quarry operations by demarcating permitted sites, while simultaneously enabling affected persons to promptly approach authorities in case of suspicious activity. The order makes clear that transparency is not merely informational, but central to enforcement and accountability in highway construction contexts.
All parties were directed to comply with these display requirements within a reasonable timeframe. The court did not prescribe a specific compliance deadline but expected visible signage at all extraction sites along the project corridor, ensuring the availability of permit details to the public throughout operation. The order remains subject to further hearings as necessary, but the petition itself was disposed of upon issuance of these directives.
By disposing of the writ petition with these targeted directions, the Kerala High Court has framed a novel transparency guardrail for infrastructure-related quarrying, balancing ongoing construction needs with environmental safeguarding and community rights to information.
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