Court ultimatum on Ramgarh dam

Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court on Friday asked why the Ramgarh dam has not been restored to its original shape even five years after the court took cognizance of the matter. It asked the government to come up with a road map to restore the pristine glory of the dam which was once a major drinking water source of Jaipur city but since many years had gone dry.
The division bench of Justice Ajay Rastogi and M N Bhandari was hearing the suo motu PIL on the sorry state of the Ramgarh dam due to alleged encroachment and construction on the catchment areas of the dam which prevents the storm water from reaching the dam.
The court observed that many orders were issued and the authorities have tried to remove some of the encroachments but the 1982 condition could not be restored. "The government took many steps, however, much more needs to be done," it observed.
"Five years have passed since the court took cognizance of the matter. A committee under the chief secretary was formed but where is the road map to restore the dam to its original shape," asked the court.
It may be noted that the dam which was once brimming with water was the venue for the canoeing completion for 1982 Asiad. Additional advocate general A S Gill, who appeared for the government, said, the Kukus dam and Ramgarh dam received some water in the recent rains and hoped that when the rains resume the reservoirs get filled.