Dealing with a suo motu matter concerning the plight of more than 200 'Gen Alpha' schoolchildren in Hamirpur, the Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Forest Department to issue the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) for construction of a 1.6-kilometre road stretch leading to their school "with expedition".

A Bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra was informed that the State Government has now sanctioned ₹1.81 crore for construction of the road, but the crucial 1.6-kilometre stretch falls on forest land and construction remains dependent on the requisite Forest NOC.

"In view of the submissions made, we expect the Forest Department to issue the requisite NOC not at its general pace but with expedition", the Court observed in its order.

The proceedings were initiated after the Court took suo motu cognizance of a newspaper report highlighting how more than 200 schoolchildren from Chandupur village, along with their parents, had walked 5 kilometres to protest before the District Magistrate over the lack of a road to their school.

The Court had earlier observed that the children walking 5 kilometres as part of the agitation "reflects the magnitude of difficulties being faced by them".

Read more about Court's order here: Hamirpur 'Gen Alpha' Students Walk 5 Km To Protest Lack Of Road To School; Allahabad High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance

On Monday, the State placed instructions before the Court regarding the status of the road.

The bench was apprised that the 1.6-kilometre stretch where the road is yet to be constructed is forest land. Although sanction for construction had been granted in 2015, the project was subsequently dropped due to the lack of an NOC from the Forest Department.

The bench was further told that the State thereafter made fresh efforts to obtain the NOC. The State further submitted that, considering the nature of the terrain, a cement road was required.

However, the State sought further time to obtain permission from the Forest Department.

The State informed the Court that, in the interim, it was making efforts to make the 1.6-kilometre stretch motorable. However, it added, due to the nature of the terrain and rains during the present period, any temporary arrangement was getting disturbed within a short period.

The State said it was therefore making continuous efforts to keep the road motorable.

Taking these submissions into account, the High Court directed that the Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Divisional Forest Officer, Hamirpur Forest Division, be impleaded as respondents.

A copy of the order was directed to be served on the Additional Solicitor General of India, who would inform the Divisional Forest Officer, Hamirpur, to ensure that the requisite NOC is issued "without any further loss of time".

The matter has been listed for September 28, 2026.

Importantly, in its previous order taking suo moto cognizance of the issues being faced by the school children, the Court had observed thus:

"The above status pertaining to the road leading to a children's school in a village wherein the small school going children have to agitate before the District Collector for a work, which is the responsibility of the State, cannot be countenanced".

Accordingly, it registered the proceedings as 'In Re: Road To School, Hamirpur Vs. State of U.P. and others'.