A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court against a Chinese company for allegedly conducting illegal river excavations in Madhesh Province. The case involves China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group Co. Ltd. and Lahan Municipality, accused of unlawfully extracting stones, gravel, and sand from protected forests and rivers. These materials are reportedly being used for the expansion of the East-West Highway's four-lane section between Kamala in Dhanusha and Kanchanrup in Saptari.

The petition cites significant environmental concerns, alleging violations of the Environmental Protection Act (2076 BS), the Provincial Forest Act (2077 BS), and related regulations. It also challenges the validity of environmental assessments conducted by Lahan Municipality, claiming they breached established legal procedures.

The Supreme Court has prioritized the case, scheduling the next hearing for December 1. The petitioners are seeking an interim order under Rule 49 of the Supreme Court Rules (2074 BS) to immediately halt excavation activities. They argue that these operations have caused severe environmental damage, warranting immediate judicial intervention.

This case highlights growing concerns over unregulated development practices in Nepal, as well as the enforcement of environmental laws and sustainable practices in infrastructure projects. The court's decision will likely set an important precedent for balancing development with environmental preservation.