SHIMLA: In the Gaggal Airport expansion case, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the state government to file a detailed supplementary affidavit. The court wants specific details on all statutory compliances and permissions secured for the airport expansion.
This comes as part of the hearing in Gaggal Airport Expansion Affected Social Welfare Committee Vs. The Principal Secretary (Tourism and CA), Government of Himachal Pradesh and Others (CWP No. 7846 of 2023).
The state government had filed an application to withdraw a previous commitment made by Advocate General Anup Rattan on December 7, 2023.
In that undertaking, the state had promised not to dispossess landowners or demolish structures on the notified lands for acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013.
This commitment was reinforced in a court order on January 9, 2024, requiring a complete status quo on the project’s rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) processes.
However, when the case reached the Supreme Court, the interim order was vacated on March 7, 2024.
The Supreme Court allowed the Advocate General to re-approach the High Court to withdraw the undertaking if necessary.
During the hearing, Advocate General Anup Rattan argued that all needed approvals for the expansion are now in place. They said this made the December undertaking redundant.
But Senior Advocate Rita Goswami, representing the petitioner, strongly opposed this claim. Supported by Advocate Rekha Kumari, Goswami argued that key statutory requirements for the project remain unmet.
Judge Sandeep Sharma took note of these concerns. He ordered the state to submit a supplementary affidavit by November 25, 2024.
This affidavit must specify every compliance completed so far and address issues raised by the petitioner.
The court’s order reflects persistent questions about the legality of the project and its impact on local residents.
Representing other respondents in the case were Senior Advocate Neeraj Gupta with Advocate Vedhant Ranta, and Deputy Solicitor General of India Balram Sharma. Respondent No. 6 was represented by Advocate Sneh Bhimta.
The next hearing is set for November 25, 2024, when the court will review the supplementary affidavit. This will determine if the state’s request to proceed with dispossessions and potential demolitions will move forward.
