HC upholds DM’s order restricting large vehicles at gas depot in residential area
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand High Court has upheld an order issued by Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal, which restricted the use of heavy vehicles for transporting gas to a depot located in a densely populated residential area on Tapovan Road of Raipur block. The DM’s decision was made following complaints from residents of Lane Number 7, Friends Colony in Tapovan Road, who raised concerns during a public grievance hearing.
Residents reported that the gas depot, operated by the Doon Valley Cooperative Society under the name Sahkari Bazaar Gas Sewa, was reportedly established before the area became a residential colony. However, with the development of housing in the vicinity, the arrival of large trucks carrying 300–400 gas cylinders was reportedly causing damage to nearby houses due to narrow roads. They also cited safety concerns over the storage and movement of a large number of filled gas cylinders in the colony.
Acting on the complaint, the DM directed officials, including the respective sub-divisional magistrate and the district supply officer, to inspect the site. The inspection, conducted on January 30 included the presence of residents, gas depot management and other officials concerned. Bansal informed that the depot served more than 11,500 registered consumers and is situated approximately 300 feet inside from the main road near the Raipur Block Office. The inspection found that Indian Oil Corporation was supplying gas to the depot using large vehicles with a 360-cylinder capacity. Officials noted the potential for damage to buildings and possible safety risks.
Based on this, the DM ordered that only smaller vehicles with a 288-cylinder capacity be used for gas supply to the depot, citing public interest and safety. The DM said that the Indian Oil Corporation challenged the order in the High Court. The court, however, dismissed the writ petition and maintained the DM’s decision.
Following the ruling, residents expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Bansal has directed the corporation to ensure compliance with the Explosives Act of 1884 and related regulations, mandating the continued supply of gas through smaller vehicles only.
