2026:UHC:4565-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA AND THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR. SUBHASH UPADHYAY Writ Petition (PIL) No.78 of 2026 Bhuvnesh Joshi ----Petitioner Versus State of Uttarakhand & Ors. ----Respondent June 9, 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Presence:- Mr. D.K. Joshi, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr. A.P. Singh, learned Additional Advocate General, Mr. Puran Singh Bisht, learned C.S.C. and Mr. Gajendra Tripathi, learned Standing Counsel for the State. Mr. Naresh Pant, learned counsel for NHAI/respondent nos.3 and 4 through V.C. JUDGMENT : (per Mr. Manoj Kumar Gupta, C. J.) 1. The present writ petition has been filed in public interest praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to take immediate measures for restoration of Kwarab- Almora National Highway and for various other ancillary reliefs connected thereto. 2. The petitioner has highlighted the fact that there had been regular landslides on the said road since last two years but the process of construction of the said road is getting unduly delayed. It is alleged that the respondents have provided an alternative bypass road but the same is still under construction and is more risky due to muddy and slippery conditions. 1 2026:UHC:4565-DB 3. Learned State Counsel has placed on record the instructions received from the Executive Engineer, NH Division, PWD Ranikhet. It has been admitted therein that there had been landslides on the said national highway. It is stated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India had sanctioned a budget of ₹ 17.14 crores for the landslide treatment work. The contractor M/s AECS Engineering and Geotechnical Services Pvt. Ltd. has already completed work of landslide treatment to the extent of 90%. It is stated that an additional budget of 51.37 crores has also been sanctioned for the same road and the NH Division, PWD Ranikhet has entered into contract with M/s Chaudhary Construction Company Pvt. Ltd. for strengthening and maintenance of the said road and the work is in progress. It is stated that since the pace of work was getting affected on account of movement of traffic, therefore, the District Magistrate, by his order dated 29.05.2026, has stopped movement of traffic on the said road. The respondents are stated to have provided an alternative route and, according to them, the work of black-coating of the said road is in progress. The respondents have stated that all efforts are being made to restore the main national highway and have assured that work would be completed by 31st March, 2027. Certain photographs have also been brought on record along with instructions, which indicate that the work of black-coating of the alternative route is in progress. 2 2026:UHC:4565-DB 4. As the monsoon season is not far away, therefore, the respondents are required to expedite the work of black-coating of the alternative route before the start of the rainy season. We hope and trust that the respondents would make all efforts to make the alternative route safe and secure. We also hope and trust that the work of restoring the national highway would be completed by 31st March, 2027 as stated by respondents in their written instructions. 5. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. 3. (MANOJ KUMAR GUPTA, C. J.) (SUBHASH UPADHYAY, J.) Dated: 09.06.2026 Rajni 3