Construction work at Madku island to be done by monsoon, HC told

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court is actively monitoring the development initiatives at Madku Dweep, a place of significant local importance. During a recent hearing, conducted via video conferencing for the suo moto Public Interest Litigation, the court reviewed the progress made based on affidavits submitted by key district officials of Mungeli.

The collector of Mungeli, in his affidavit dated March 24, 2025, informed the court about the administrative sanction of Rs 45.44 lakh for crucial infrastructure upgrades at Madku Dweep.

These developmental works include the construction of stairs (locally known as ‘Pachri') at Navghat, near the riverbank, which will improve accessibility to the area.

Additionally, the sanctioned projects encompass the construction of a retaining wall and necessary patching work to ensure the stability and longevity of existing structures.

To enhance connectivity for tourists and locals alike, a concrete (CC) road is also under construction, linking the main tourist area to the forest information centre.

The collector assured the court that the rural engineering services, Pathariya, the agency responsible for these projects, commenced work and is committed to completing it before the onset of the rainy season. Photographic evidence of the ongoing construction was also presented to the court.

Emphasising the district administration's dedication, the collector said their efforts are directed towards developing Shri Hariher Kshetra Madku Dweep as a vital tourist attraction.

Further underscoring the improvements, the divisional forest officer (DFO), Mungeli, in his affidavit dated March 25, 2025, addressed the crucial aspect of sanitation facilities at the Madku Dweep mela site. He informed the court that three sets of toilets, constructed in 2018 with funding from the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, were formally handed over to the Gram Panchayat Madku on March 19, 2025. This handover, facilitated by the forest range officer Pathariya, aims to ensure the proper maintenance and upkeep of these essential amenities for visitors.

The DFO's report also detailed the involvement of a local women's self-help group, Jay Satnam Mahila Self-help Group, which expressed interest in managing the toilets, indicating a community-led approach to maintaining the facilities.

Upon perusal of these affidavits, the High Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Arvind Kumar Verma, acknowledged the visible progress and noted that the situation at Madku Dweep appeared considerably better than before.

Recognising the ongoing need for oversight, the court has scheduled the next hearing for July 1. Both the collector and the DFO of Mungeli have been directed to submit updated affidavits before this date, detailing the further advancements in the maintenance of Madku Dweep.