Pradip Kumar Gupta Vs State of Bihar (Patna High Court)
The writ application was filed seeking multiple reliefs concerning the proposed widening of the boundary of the Sikrahana River and construction of a dam and embankment. The petitioners sought issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents not to widen the river boundary or construct the dam. They further prayed for demarcation of land as per the old map and for repair or construction of a permanent flank/boundary of the river instead of widening the boundary and constructing a new dam. The petitioners also requested directions to prevent wastage of Rs. 239 crores from the public exchequer and to restrain the respondents and district officers of West Champaran from alleged wilful and negligent acts, improprieties, defalcation, and misuse of public funds. The petition was filed in public interest.
Read SC Judgment in this case: SC Refuses To Interfere With Bihar’s Sikrahana River Dam Project
Upon examination of the reliefs, it appeared that the Government had decided to construct an embankment at an estimated cost of Rs. 239 crores. A counter affidavit was filed on behalf of respondent Nos. 3, 5, and 6. It was stated that during the first phase of construction of the right Sikrahana embankment in 1989–90, approximately 22 km of embankment was constructed from Kataha Sheikh Toli of Motihari Sadar Block to Vardaha village. A proposal was subsequently submitted for construction of the remaining 56.22 km stretch, from Chanpatia to Kataha village in Motihari Sadar Block. The proposal, with an estimated cost of Rs. 239.6268 crores, was accepted by the Advisory Committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, in its 153rd meeting held on 14 November 2023 at New Delhi. The State Government’s Water Resources Department sanctioned the required funds through letter no. 697 dated 15 March 2024.
