The Uttarakhand government has ramped up its efforts to upgrade the Uttarakhand High Court from Nainital to Haldwani. A development, which has been under discussion for several years, has been underway to set up a modern judicial complex in and around Haldwani by officials.
Various departments have been mandated to find big tracts of land suitable for court premises, administrative offices, houses for judges, parking, and other necessary facilities, government officials said. The goal is to develop a state-of-the-art judicial campus with the ability to serve current and future needs.
Since the formation of Uttarakhand state in November 2000, the Uttarakhand High Court has been sitting in Nainital. Although the town of the hill is historically significant and is also a major judicial centre, because of space, traffic and access concerns, there has been discussion of relocating the court. The hilly topography of Nainital is another drawback that hinders the growth of infrastructure, especially in terms of providing space for the expansion of judicial facilities.
Haldwani, which is situated in the plains of Kumaon, has now become a favourite destination as it has better connectivity and availability of land. The city is connected to main highways and railways, making access for litigants, lawyers and officials from across the State to court facilities easier.
The officials are said to be considering a number of factors before they can finalise a site. These include availability of land, environmental clearance, connectivity and scope for future expansion. Following identification of an appropriate site, detailed project reports and infrastructure plans are expected.
Those in favour of relocating the High Court say that it will enhance access to justice and make judicial administration more efficient. A new court complex also could minimize logistical problems for lawyers and the public.
But the proposal has garnered a divided opinion. Some residents and legal fraternity folks are thinking that the remounting of the High Court may affect the Nainital economy and affect its importance as an administrative and judicial centre. They have requested that the decision be made carefully.
As of today, the project is still in the planning phase, and the next step is to identify the land. The government’s steps show that the long-awaited plan for relocating the state’s judicial offices is beginning to move forward and may well result in a new judicial setup in Uttarakhand.
