10 months on, expert panel yet to submit report to NGT

SHIMLA: Even as decks have been cleared for the regularisation of unauthorised structures in the town, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) appointed expert committee report to assess the carrying capacity of Shimla hills is yet to be submitted before the green body even after lapse of more than 10 months.

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 29

Even as decks have been cleared for the regularisation of unauthorised structures in the town, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) appointed expert committee report to assess the carrying capacity of Shimla hills is yet to be submitted before the green body even after lapse of more than 10 months.

Though the state government has desisted from giving any relaxation to people who have made unauthorized structures falling in the 17 green belts of the town, the inordinate delay in finalizing and submitting the report is only aggravating the situation in the state capital which has virtually turned into a concrete jungle.

The NGT in its order on October 15, 2015 had directed that an expert panel must undertake a study to assess the carrying capacity of Shimla hills and the suburb areas to see if can take the burden of further constructions. The state government was asked to submit the report till March, 2016 but time was sought from the NGT on one pretext or the other. Now the matter is listed before the NGT on September 4, next month where the report is likely to be submitted.

Though over 13,000 unauthorized buildings, as per Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, will be regularized by way of amendment in the Town and Country Planning Act and not a retention policy most law abiding citizens feel violators are being encouraged while they have been left high and dry. “Why follow the rules when ultimately the government succumbs to pressure from the violators who constitute a sizeable vote bank,” quips a law abiding citizen.

He points out that with the dilly-dallying and indecision on the part of the government on the issue for the last more than one year, there are many who took advantage of the situation and committed even more violations to built structures to suit their convenience. In fact, local BJP legislator Suresh Bhardwaj echoed these concerns in the Assembly also and pointed out that many more had undertaken illegal constructions under the garb of the Ordinance.

“Illegal constructions undertaken before June 15, 2016 will qualify for regularisation provided they fulfill the eligibility and the Town and Country Planning Department and the local Municipal Corporation at its own level has tried to kept vigil on those who have tried to take undue benefit and undertaken constructions after June 15, 2016,” said Sandeep Kumar, Director Town and Country Planning department.

It is learnt that there are a handful of cases where the MC and the TCP have issued notice to some people for undertaking constructions after June 15. Now it remains to be seen whether the TCP Department will be able to weed out such people who have tried to take undue benefit of the one-time settlement policy.