Baddi MC halts work on 'illegal road' after protest

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 30

In violation of norms, the Baddi Municipal Committee (MC) had initiated work on an approach road in ward number 9 here to provide access to a tiles manufacturer. The work, however, was stopped after residents objected to it and held a protest.

A tree also axed

The authorities were trying to benefit a person, who is close to the local BJP MLA, by closing a nullah through which rain water flows. Even a tree has been axed. — Ramkumar Chaudhary, Former Doon MLA

The issue came to light when residents of phase I and II of the HIMUDA colony held a protest.

Sunil Sharma, Babita and other residents complained to the SDM that a nullah adjoining the colony was being encroached upon by a tile manufacturer, who was undertaking construction over it.

Housing Board Welfare Society chairman Sanjeev Kaushal said that the Baddi MC was constructing an illegal road in the middle of their colony. This was being done to provide access to a tiles manufacturing factory, the owner of which is said to be close to the ruling party.

“The path will be used to transport raw material and finished goods and will disturb peace of the colony residents,” added Kaushal.

Ward member Surjeet Chawdhary, however, denied that the MC had permitted any such work in the colony.

The Assistant Engineer (AE), HIMUDA, who was directed to visit the site by the SDM, said the MC was constructing a culvert to provide access to the tiles manufacturing factory owner. He also wrote to the Executive Officer (EO) to stop the work and first seek permission from HIMUDA as the colony residents were objecting to it.

HIMUDA will now construct a boundary wall to ensure that no such access is provided to the manufacturer.

SDM Nalagarh Mahendra Pal said, “I visited the site and directed the authorities to stop the work immediately.” Following protest by local residents, EO Ajmer Singh ordered the work to be stopped.

Former Doon MLA Ramkumar Chaudhary alleged that the authorities were trying to benefit a person by closing a nullah through which rain water flows. Even a tree had been axed. He alleged that the individual was close to the local BJP MLA and the work was being executed without the MC having passed any resolution.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.