HC: stop excessive soil extraction at Chelanoor in Kozhikode for NH 66 work

The Kerala High Court has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), and others to stop the “unscientific and excessive” soil extraction at Chelanoor in Kozhikode for NH 66 widening.

A geologist’s report had cited how excessive soil extraction was causing severe environmental damage in the region.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the direction on a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought directions to immediately halt the “unscientific excavation of excessive soil” and to implement adequate safety measures, including slope stabilisation and continuous monitoring, to prevent further harm to residents of the area.

The court further ordered that quarrying permit holders erect metallic boards containing details of the permit, quantity, area of extraction permitted, and the contact numbers and e-mail addresses of NHAI officials, to contact in case of emergency.