Monitor air quality in Shimla, orders HC

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, January 4

The High Court has directed the state authorities to regularly monitor the quality and ambience of the quality of air and noise levels in the town.

A division bench comprising the Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed this order on a petition filed by the resident of the city alleging that he has constructed a house at Kachi-Ghati.

The area where the petitioner is residing is the gateway to the Shimla town. Unfortunately, of late, a large number of roadside denting and painting workshops have mushroomed in and around the house of the petitioner making it difficult for him and his family to live peacefully. Due to the work being undertaken, workshops emit noxious, toxic and hazardous substance and generate noise pollution.

While restraining the workshop owner from carrying out the denting and painting works near the house of the petitioner, the court observed, “We fail to understand as to how the extensive air and environmental pollution being generated there has gone totally unnoticed.”

Virtually passing strictures against the state functionaries, including Pollution Control Board, the court further observed that “here is a case which clearly reflects total insensitivity and callousness on the part of the respondents.

We are constrained to observe that entire efforts made in furtherance to Articles 21, 48A and 51A (g) of the Constitution by introducing various legislations to give the citizen a right to enjoy a pollution free life has been given a complete go-by at the hands of those responsible for implementing the same.”