No Evidence Found: NGT Committee Clears Kiratpur-Nerchowk Highway Project of Unscientific Hill-Cutting Allegations

The National Green Tribunal's joint committee has determined that there is no illegal hill-cutting or mining along the Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane highway project. Comprised of representatives from the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board and Bilaspur and Mandi district administrations, the committee conducted its inspections in April 2024.

The 78.28-kilometer project, under the National Highways Authority of India, was built with strict adherence to environmental regulations and opened in September 2023. Excess material from construction was disposed of with landowners’ consent, following guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment in 2013.

Minor excavations for plot development in Bilaspur and Mandi districts were halted by local authorities. No illegal activities have been detected since the highway's completion, and new SOPs have been issued to ensure compliance with environmental standards.