HC acts tough on illegal constructions in Dharamsala

Vijay Arora
Shimla, January 9

Taking a tough stand on illegal and unauthorised construction in Dharamsala, the HP High Court today directed Director, Town & Country Planning (TCP), to furnish the names of all the Directors of TCP and Town & Country Planners, Dharamsala, who have remained posted from the year 2005 to 2018 along with present status as to whether they are still in service or have retired.

The court passed this order when it was brought to its notice that the powers to enforce the building bylaws have been conferred upon the Municipal Corporation from February, 2018 only. Prior to that, such responsibility lay on the Town & Country Planning Department.

The court further directed the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Dharamsala, to submit status report in respect of unauthorized construction identified in different areas of Municipal Corporation and action taken, initiated or proposed in this regard. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel further directed the Commissioner to instruct the enforcement staff of the Engineering Wing to visit different areas of the corporation once in a fortnight and submit a report with respect to illegal construction suspected by them and take all lawful measures immediately to prevent unauthorized action.

The court also directed the Deputy Commissioner and SP Kangra at Dharamsala to provide full assistance to Municipal Corporation in this regard.

During the course of hearing Sandeep Kadam, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Dharamsala, was present in the court and had filed a status report on unauthorised construction.

The court passed these orders on a petition filed by Yashpal Singh Sandhu who had alleged in his petition that unauthorized construction was going on in Ward No 9 in Sakoh village of MC Dharamsala. Taking cognizance on the same the court had passed these orders and directed the Commissioner to file fresh status report by February 25.

Construction work goes on in Sakoh village

• In a petition filed in the court, it was alleged that unauthorized construction was going on in Ward No 9 in Sakoh village of MC Dharamsala. 
• Taking cognizance on the same the court had passed these orders and directed the Commissioner to file fresh status report by February 25.