Relief paid, but 101 structures on NH-22 yet to be vacated

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, August 9

At least 101 partially or slightly demolished structures on the Parwanoo-Solan section of National Highway(NH)-22, which is being four-laned, are yet to be vacated by their owners.

Taking strict note of the issue, SDM, Solan, Rohit Rathore has ordered that power and water connections of these structures be discontinued. The matter was brought to the notice of the authorities by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The SDM said officials of HP State Electricity Board Limited and the Irrigation and Public Health Departments had been directed to disconnect the power and water connections of these establishments with immediate effect.

Sources said while some owners were residing at these risk-prone buildings, some had given on rent and drawing pecuniary benefits. This had delayed the demolition and consequent four-laning, which was already running behind schedule.

It had also come to light that some buildings were being used for commercial activities, but the owners were paying domestic charges for power connection. This would cause a huge loss to the power department, the sources said.

Superintending Engineer, HPSEBL, SK Sen said he had written to the district administration seeking information about such buildings so that they could initiate action against the owners.

A committee, constituted by the NHAI, had identified 101 such structures out of 347 for which the compensation had been paid to the affected persons, but these were yet to be demolished. The district administration was also apprised about this issue for requisite action.

REASON FOR DELAY

• While some owners were residing at these risk-prone buildings, some had given on rent and drawing pecuniary benefits.  This had delayed the demolition and consequent  four-laning, which was already running behind schedule
• Some buildings were being used for commercial activities, but the owners were paying domestic charges for power connection. This would cause a huge loss to the power department