The Supreme Court has taken up a plea concerning the expansion project of Gaggal airport located in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district. This decision comes after the High Court of Himachal Pradesh had issued an order on January 9, staying the project in response to a plea filed by members of the Gaggal Airport Expansion Affected Society Welfare Committee. 

The High Court's order had halted all activities related to the expansion project until February 29, pending further hearings.

However, the Supreme Court, bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, intervened by staying the operation of the High Court order after considering submissions made by the Himachal Pradesh government, the Airports Authority of India, and the National Highways Authority of India. 

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the government authorities, emphasized the importance of the airport expansion, highlighting that the Kangra airport is the only facility in Himachal Pradesh where expansion is feasible.

Rohatgi pointed out that despite assurances from the advocate general that no demolition or dispossession would occur, the High Court order had effectively stalled the project. 

In response, the Supreme Court decided to issue a notice and stay the High Court order, allowing the expansion project to proceed while urging the High Court to continue considering the pending petition.

The plea before the High Court had expressed concerns about the government reconsidering the project, suggesting that time and resources invested in relief and rehabilitation efforts could go to waste if the decision were reversed. 

The High Court had acknowledged these concerns on January 9, prompting the stay on the project pending further deliberations.