Solan transforming into jungle of concrete

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, February 4

With virtually no provision for green space having been made by numerous builders erecting palatial housing colonies here, the green cover was not only depleting but the town was transforming into a jungle of concrete.

The town, which had witnessing the highest growth rate of 57.23 per cent, was not only bursting at the seams but it was the fastest growing towns of the state with the fast depleting green cover.

Though the town was brought under the purview of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1977, in 1985, it was withdrawn later following protests and it was finally in 1997 that this Act was again made applicable to the town in view of the burgeoning growth.

Palatial housing colonies and commercial complexes had come up throughout the town, including the Mall Road, Rajgarh Road, Power House Road, Palace Road, Shamti, etc., while the green space was shrinking.

Incidents of illegal axing of trees and earth moving machines clearing hillocks to pave way for buildings were noticeable and this further reduced the existing green cover.

“Though the provision for green space is suppose to act as a buffer to mitigate the impact of pollution, none of the builders have bothered to maintain any such area in the periphery of their buildings,” opined HK Sharma, an environmentalist.

With several pharmaceutical units being housed amidst habitations in areas like Deonghat, Kather Bypass etc., quantum of pollution had gone up and the high temperatures witnessed during summers was an indication of high pollution levels.

The rising number of vehicles was also adding to the peril as they contributed to the pollution. According to a survey conducted by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, out of 19 per cent households who own vehicles, only 28 per cent have parking facilities on their own land whereas remaining 72 per cent vehicle owners park vehicles on road side or depend on paid and free parking throughout the town.