High Court directive against national highway construction; hartal announced in three panchayats in Idukki

IDUKKI: The United Democratic Front (UDF) has declared a hartal in three panchayats in Idukki district to protest against the High Court's directive to stop national highway construction in the area. The hartal will take place in Vellathooval, Adimali, and Pallivasal panchayats. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has also announced a separate hartal in the Adimali panchayat.

Earlier today, the High Court ordered a halt to the national highway construction between Neriamangalam and Valara. The directive came after the court pointed out that the construction was being carried out without the necessary approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The court also asked the Chief Secretary to look into the cutting of trees in the reserve forest area and take necessary action. According to the Forest Department, the National Highway Authority had cut down more than 250 trees without permission on the day of the nationwide strike. The court has now ordered an investigation to find out who gave the approval for this.