HC forms panel to demarcate Sukhna catchment area

The committee will be coordinated by senior standing counsel for UT Administration,Sanjay Kaushal.

The development took place during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) arising out of a suo motu notice taken by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the deteriorating condition of Sukhna Lake.

On the last date of hearing,Tanu Bedi had averred that Chandigarh Administration and the states of Haryana and Punjab are keeping a blind eye to the housing schemes which are stated to be constructed very near to Sukhna Lake. Such habitational schemes not only would pose a threat by the construction activities to the ecological sensitive fragile area of lake but also would result in additional use of ground water near the lake which will augment more seepage resulting in decrease in level of water

Bedi had sought directions from the court to call for the records from the three states for the reasons and manner in which such permission is being granted.