The Uttarakhand High Court has put a stay on illegal constructions in Dehradun and Rishikesh, questioning the role of the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) in regularizing unauthorized structures.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra has directed Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey to appear via video conferencing on May 5 to explain how the MDDA is allowing construction in violation of sanctioned maps.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rishikesh resident Pankaj Agarwal and others, who alleged that numerous buildings were being constructed in Dehradun and Rishikesh without adhering to approved plans. The petition claimed that while the MDDA initially seals these unauthorized structures, its assistant engineer later removes the seals and compounds the constructions, effectively legalizing them.

Taking a serious view of the matter, the high court has sought an explanation from the Garhwal Commissioner and emphasized the need to curb illegal constructions to protect the environment. The next hearing is scheduled for May 5.