Jaipur, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Rajasthan High Court has taken a stern view of the delay in the revival of Ramgarh Dam, directing senior government officials to present a concrete restoration plan on July 23.
The court observed that if the government has the intent, the historic dam can still be revived, and expressed concern over continued encroachments and the disruption of its natural water flow. The directions were issued on Monday by a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Bhuvan Goel while hearing a petition related to the restoration of the dam.
The High Court directed the Secretaries of the Water Resources, Irrigation, and Revenue Departments, along with officials of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), to appear either in person or through video conferencing on July 23 with a detailed action plan for reviving Ramgarh Dam.
During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Abhinav Sharma informed the court that little progress had been made on the ground and that the natural flow of water into the dam had been severely affected. He urged the court to examine the topography of the catchment area to restore the original drainage system.
Taking serious note of the submissions, the bench observed that encroachments, illegal land allotments, trenches, and permanent structures had obstructed the dam's catchment and natural water channels.
Advocate Karan Rathod, representing local residents, moved an application seeking to be impleaded in the matter.
Appearing on his behalf, Advocate Anshuman Saxena informed the court that awareness campaigns were being conducted to mobilise public support for the revival of Ramgarh Dam.
Advocate General Rajendra Prasad, representing the state government, assured the High Court of full cooperation in the restoration efforts. The case has also brought renewed focus on the government's earlier commitments to restore the dam.
Despite assurances made in the Rajasthan Assembly by Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat, progress on key issues, including scrutiny of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued by the JDA and the Revenue Department, remains unclear.
The departmental committee constituted to examine NOCs issued for hotels, resorts, agricultural activities, and other constructions in the dam's catchment area has yet to submit its findings. As a result, the government has been unable to initiate action against alleged encroachments.
Meanwhile, agricultural activity and construction have reportedly continued in the flow areas of the Roda and Madhoweni rivers, further affecting the dam's water inflow.
According to the Water Resources Department, nearly 930 hectares of the dam's downstream area fall within the jurisdiction of the Jaipur Development Authority.
Officials have alleged that several NOCs were issued for hotels, resorts, and other construction projects in these areas. Despite complaints of illegal construction in the downstream zone, action has reportedly remained limited.
The High Court is expected to review the government's restoration strategy during the next hearing on July 23, a date that could prove crucial for the future of one of Jaipur's most important water bodies.
Source: IANS
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