: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 00:31 AM
Udaipur/Jodhpur. The Rajasthan High Court has taken a strong stand on the deplorable condition of Haldighati Pass and Rakta Talai, symbols of Maharana Pratap’s bravery and self-respect, taking suo motu cognizance. Based on the report “Highway to Haldighati: Where Chetak’s Leap Meets Truck’s Roar” published in The Times of India, the court has registered this matter as a PIL and immediately put a stay on any new construction or expansion work. Besides, instructions have been given to run a special cleaning campaign in 15 days and take strict action against encroachment and pollution. A division bench of Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjit Purohit said that neglect, encroachment and environmental degradation of historical sites pose a serious threat to the cultural heritage of India. Describing this as a direct example of political and administrative inaction, the court said that if timely intervention is not made, this heritage will be lost due to administrative apathy. Highway on battlefield, bulldozer on history
Citing news reports, the court said that Haldighati Pass, which was witness to the historic battle of 1576, which was once so narrow that only two horses could pass together, has today been transformed into a 40 meter wide two-lane highway. The felling of more than 200 trees, leveling of hills and possible archaeological remains being buried under asphalt during road expansion in 2019 is a matter of serious concern.
The division bench also observed that vehicular smoke and gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide were damaging the iron oxide-rich yellow soil, increasing the risk of erosion and slope collapse.
Blood pond in the grip of garbage and encroachment
The court described the condition of Rakta Talai as extremely pathetic. Where the war once reached its peak, today bushes, broken bottles, dry ponds and sewage flow are visible. The Chhatri of Tanwar martyrs and the mausoleum of Maharana Pratap’s trusted commander Hakim Khan Sur are also victims of neglect.
According to the report, constructions like government school and hospital are standing on the pond land, while there is neither proper fencing nor concrete monitoring system by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Constitutional and legal violations
The High Court initially held that this situation violates Article 49 (protection of monuments of national importance), Article 51A(g) (civic duty to protect cultural heritage) and Article 21 (right to a clean environment) of the Constitution. Besides, it is also contrary to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, Environment Protection Act, Air and Water Pollution Control Laws and Forest Conservation Act.
Notice to 16 departments including Centre-State
The court has issued notice to 16 departments including Central and State Government, ASI, NHAI, Tourism, Forest and Environment Department, Pollution Control Board and District Administration and sought their reply. All departments have been directed to submit affidavits on steps taken for conservation, removal of encroachment, pollution control and progress of Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit.
interim order
The court made it clear that there will be a ban on any new construction or expansion work without the permission of the court. A special cleaning campaign will be conducted within 15 days. There will be a temporary ban on vehicle parking on the historic slopes and fines will be imposed for littering. Instructions have also been given to solve the problem of sewage drainage and waterlogging in Rakta Talai within 30 days.
Next hearing on January 28
The court has appointed advocates Lakshya Singh Udawat, Tanya Tuli and Udaipur resident Yashvi Khandelwal as amicus curiae and fixed the next hearing of the case on January 28, 2026.
Questions on the silence of leaders
The intervention of the High Court has also raised questions on political and administrative accountability. Local citizens and experts have expressed their displeasure over the silence of the public representatives who did politics in the name of Maharana Pratap. He says that if political will had been shown in time, neither the pressure of the highway on Haldighati would have increased nor Rakta Talai would have been encroached upon and a sewage dump would have happened.
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Web Title-Haldighati-Rakt Talai Dilapidated State: High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance, Halts Construction, Issues Notices to 16 Departments
