High Court flags concern over world heritage Ajanta Caves

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered issuing notices to the Central and State governments in connection with a petition challenging the proposed Jalna–Jalgaon railway project under the ‘Ajanta Connectivity’ plan.

The bench comprising Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Hiten Venegaonkar on Wednesday directed the respondents to file their affidavits by March 23, 2026 and scheduled the next hearing for April 2.

During the hearing, the bench expressed serious concern over the safety of the world heritage Ajanta Caves and the potential adverse impact of the proposed railway alignment on the archaeological heritage site.

What is the petition?

The petition has been jointly filed by Ravindra Ramdas Kakade, secretary of the Jalna–Jalgaon Railway Prakalp Virodhi Samiti, along with project-affected persons Krishna Kaduba Lahane and Sanjay Kashinath Kakade. Advocates Ashish Sonawane and Vilas Sonawane appeared for the petitioners, assisted by Advocate Sandhya Kawade.

During arguments, the petitioners highlighted serious deficiencies in the notification issued under Section 20(A) of the Railways Act, 1989. They contended that the notification fails to clearly specify the exact extent of land proposed to be acquired. Furthermore, village-wise acquisition details do not adequately identify the affected land parcels or landowners, making it impossible for project-affected persons to ascertain which properties are to be acquired.

Why not route via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar?

The petition also raises strong objections regarding the project alignment, alleging that it is flawed. According to the petitioners, the proposed railway line passes through environmentally sensitive areas in Sillod tehsil and cuts through residential limits of Sillod town. It has further been argued that no serious consideration was given to alternative alignments. The petition questions why a connectivity option via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, regarded as Marathwada’s administrative, industrial and educational hub, was not explored before finalising the present route.