State gets more time to file reply

Vijay Arora

Shimla, March 20

The High Court has granted liberty to the state authorities and amicus curie to respond to the affidavit filed by the railway authorities regarding the construction of a multi-storey parking near the Old Bus Stand.

A division bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed the order on a PIL highlighting the issue of widening of roads and traffic congestion in Shimla, specifically near Old Bus Stand. While passing the order, the court also directed them to file their responses within two weeks and listed the matter for further hearing on April 10.

In its earlier order, the court had directed the Secretary, Transport, Principal Secretary (PWD), Chief Executive Officer and GM, HP Bus Stand Management and Development Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Himachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development Board, MD, HPTDC, Commissioner, MC, Shimla, DFO (Urban), Shimla, Conservator of Forests, Shimla, Superintending Engineer, HP State Electricity Board and Senior Divisional Engineer, Northern Railways, Ambala, to file the status report mentioning the steps taken by them in this regard.

In compliance to the order passed by the court, the authorities concerned had filed their reports and informed the court about the steps taken by them. Apart from this, in its earlier order the court had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Engineer, HPPWD, for giving suggestions and course of action related to providing better transport facilities, developing the infrastructure in and around Shimla town, improving the condition of roads and solving the problem of traffic jam. It had also directed the committee to have consultation with all authorities, which have the role to play and file suggestions/recommendations/status report. The court had directed the committee to make suggestions/ recommendations and prepare present and future plan while keeping in view the fact that Shimla was a tourist place and remained busy throughout the year and other attending factors.