SC issues interim order to halt cable car construction project in Sikles

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order for not undertaking or causing to undertake cable car or any of physical construction projects along the Sikles Annapurna Conservation Area in Kaski.

A single bench of judge Til Prasad Shrestha issued the order to this regard, stating the matter required to be concluded only after discussing with both parties due to its gravity and sensitivity.
In response to a writ petition filed by advocate Padam Bahadur Shrestha, the order was issued in accordance with the Supreme Court Regulations, 2074 BS.

The writ petition named the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Forest and Environment as the defendants, seeking a decision to endorse the project’s environmental impact assessment report and other government decisions and documents in regard with the project implementation to be annulled through the issuance of mandamus.

The project is about the construction of 6.416 km Sikles Annapurna Cable Car.