The Supreme Court of India has deferred its hearing on the long-pending petition concerning the removal of illegal encroachments from 29 acres of Railway land in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Despite the deferment, the top court assured all involved parties that it would take up the matter for an expedited hearing soon. During the proceedings, legal counsel representing the Railway administration informed the bench about an urgent situation on the ground. The lawyer highlighted that rising water levels in the nearby Gaula River have flooded onto the railway tracks, inflicting ongoing physical damage to infrastructure. Counsel emphasized that an early resolution is critical to safeguard railway operations. The petitioners also echoed the demand for a prompt hearing. Responding to these petitions, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana assured that the case will be heard shortly.
Dhami Government Urgency Plea and Eviction Plan Background
Addressing the contentious dispute over 30 hectares of Railway property in Banbhoolpura, the Dhami-led Uttarakhand state government had previously moved an urgency application before the Supreme Court seeking an expedited final decision. The legal struggle reached the apex court after the Uttarakhand High Court initially ordered the complete clearance of encroachments from the land claimed by the Railways. Affected local residents subsequently challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court. Staying the immediate eviction, the Supreme Court asked both the Railway authorities and the Uttarakhand government to submit a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement framework for the displaced occupants. As part of this process, officials have already conducted a survey of eligible residents under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Scope of Encroachment and Over 27,000 Affected Residents
The upcoming judicial verdict holds enormous significance for the local population, with over 27,000 residents of Banbhoolpura closely monitoring the court proceedings. More than 3,500 structures and houses have been constructed across the 30 hectares of disputed Railway land. The Supreme Court decision will ultimately decide the fate of these settlements alongside the Railway department's ability to protect its property.
High Alert in Haldwani: 300 Police Officers and PAC Deployed
To prevent any breach of peace or public order on the day of the scheduled hearing, local authorities established intensive security measures across Haldwani. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manju Nath TC explained that police management was heavily bolstered as a precautionary step. Referring to a violent incident that erupted two years ago during a minor encroachment removal drive, the SSP noted that comprehensive preventive steps were taken to maintain calm. The entire area has been divided into strategic super zones. Over 300 police personnel, alongside senior officers and two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), have been stationed across the location to ensure public safety and stability.
