Uttarakhand High Court Clears Statue Relocation for Decongestion

In a significant move to alleviate congestion in Nainital, the Uttarakhand High Court has authorized the relocation of the iconic statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Govind Ballabh Pant. The decision, announced by a division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Kumar Verma, aims to streamline traffic and facilitate pedestrian movement in the bustling tourist town.

The court's approval followed the dismissal of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that questioned the district administration's decision to shift the statues, accusing it of misusing public funds under a purported beautification scheme. The high court has mandated that the statues be reinstalled at designated spots 15 meters from their original locales within a four-month timeframe, endorsing repairs as needed.

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi has since been relocated, with the sites, formerly known as Gandhi Chowk and Pant Park, undergoing transformations meant to enhance urban mobility. This initiative marks an essential step in optimizing urban infrastructure while preserving the memorials' legacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)