Power, water supply to 73 hotels cut

Our Correspondent

Kullu, December 23

The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has snapped the power and water supply to 73 hotels in Kullu and Manali. Assistant Environmental Engineer Pradeep Moudgil said the units had been operating without the consent of the SPCB.

A team comprising officials of the SPCB, IPH, Forest, Revenue Departments, HPSEB and PWD snapped the power and water connections of establishments operating without legal and valid documents. The authorities of the HPSEB confirmed that the connections of most units had been snapped. The committee, set up by the NGT, to inspect over 1,700 hotels, lodges and home stays in Kullu and Manali detected various anomalies while checking documents of over 92 hotels with more than 25 rooms in the first phase of inspection. Manali SDM HR Bairwa said 55 notices had been issued to the owners and action would be taken if they failed to provide satisfactory explanation.

The committee has been verifying documents of tourism-related establishments and action is being taken against illegal encroachment on government and forest land. The hotel owners are facing the NGT’s brunt ahead of New Year and Christmas.

The green panel has directed the committee to conduct a joint inspection and submit a comprehensive report on sources of water, management of solid waste and sewage treatment plant.