Patna, Nov. 15: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has directed the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to file an affidavit on its stand on alleged violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 while constructing a state highway passing through Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR).

“The CEC, which will take up the matter for hearing on January 10, issued this directive while hearing the case on November 14,” Saurabh Sharma, the counsel of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi.

WTI vice-chairman Ashok Kumar had filed a case with the CEC in March this year claiming that the Forest (Conservation) Act was violated while constructing the 28.8-km-long Bagaha-Triveni state highway 64 passing through VTR. The work was allegedly taken up without taking the necessary permission from the competent authorities.

The CEC, said a source, came down heavily on the CPWD representative during the course of the hearing of the case. The panel, constituted by the Supreme Court to look into violation of Forest (Conservation) Act and Wildlife (Protection) Act, observed that it appeared to be a fit case of contempt of the apex court order.

“The CEC observed that it rarely makes recommendations like contempt of court to the apex court. It later directed the CPWD to file the affidavit on time,” said the source present in the hearing.

The CPWD, which was given the responsibility of constructing the state highway, not only put up a new black top road despite objection of the forest department but also widened it from 3m to 7m.

The Telegraph had carried a report about the apparent violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act in its February 8 edition.

According to rules, even the repair work of the existing roads passing through the protected areas cannot be undertaken without the permission of the Centre. In this case not only a new road was laid, it was even widened considerably without seeking the mandatory clearance.

“Our department had been objecting to the CPWD move ever since the work on this road started in 2008. Its proof is the 10 cases lodged by us against the agency and four letters sent to it to draw its attention towards the violation of the act. The CPWD, however, continued with its work and stopped construction only in October 2010 when just about one-and-a-half-km of road construction work was left,” a senior VTR official said, adding that the CEC had already been informed about these facts in the papers submitted by the department during the course of the hearing of the case.

WTI’s Kumar said that he would plead for stern action against the officials responsible for the violation of the act so that it could become an example for one and all who dare to violate the Forest (Conservation) Act while undertaking construction activities in a reserve.