IN RE: VILLAGES IN UPPER DZONGU MAROONED DUE TO COLLAPSE OF A BRIDGE AT MANTAM LAKE, NORTH SIKKIM Vs. IN RE: VILLAGES IN UPPER DZONGU MAROONED DUE TO COLLAPSE OF A BRIDGE AT MANTAM LAKE, NORTH SIKKIM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This matter is taken up through V.C.

(2.) Heard Mr. Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, learned Amicus Curiae as well as Mr. Vivek Kohli, learned Advocate General, Sikkim.

(3.) This Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation was registered on the basis of newspaper reports. A news article captioned 'Newly constructed bridge in Dzongu overflowed, 13 villages affected' was published on 05th May, 2019 issue of Sikkim Express, wherein it was stated that due to heavy rainfall in North Sikkim, water level of Kanaka river had risen resulting in submersion of the bailey bridge, which was built over the river at Dzogu. Similar news with the caption 'Heavy rainfall submerge Mantam bridge' was also reported in Summit Times on its 05th May, 2019 issue.