The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Forest department to expedite the issuance of a no objection certificate (NOC) required for construction of a 1.6-kilometre stretch of road leading to a school in Hamirpur district.

The direction was given by the Bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra on Monday (August 24, 2026) while hearing a suo motu plea based on a news report published on August 12, which highlighted the protests taken out by the school students in Hamirpur concerning the difficulties faced by them due to the absence of a proper road on the route leading to their school.

The State government submitted in the court that the unfinished 1.6-kilometre portion passes through forest land. Although the road had received administrative sanction in 2015, the project was subsequently abandoned because the necessary Forest department NOC was not available.

“Whereafter again efforts were made to seek NOC from Forest Department regarding which an estimate dated 23.03.2026 was issued by the Forest department and now on 21.08.2026, a sum of ₹1.81 crore has been sanctioned by the State government for construction of the road,” the government submitted in the court.

Cement road needed

The State also informed the court that the terrain makes construction of a cement road necessary. At the same time, officials are attempting to make the 1.6-kilometre stretch motorable until the required clearance is obtained and permanent construction can begin.

It was also submitted that maintaining the temporary road has been difficult because of the area’s terrain and rainfall during the current season. Temporary arrangements are being disrupted within a short period, requiring authorities to make continuing efforts to keep the route usable.

The State also submitted that obtaining the required permission from the Forest department could take additional time.

Taking note of the submissions, the High Court said it expected the Forest department to process the NOC “not at its general pace but with expedition”.

Permission under Centre

The court was also informed that the permission falls under Central laws. In view of this, the Bench ordered that the Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi, and the Divisional Forest Officer, Hamirpur Forest Division, be added as party respondents to the proceedings.

The matter will now be heard as fresh on September 28.