Ban on digging work in Shimla

Shimla, August 10

To avoid possible landslips in the event of a heavy rainfall, the Shimla Municipal Corporation has directed residents to stop digging work for the purpose of construction.

As per the directions, any person whose building map has been passed recently cannot start the construction work during the monsoon season. The corporation said the construction work could trigger landslides if it rains heavily.

Recently, a portion of Circular Road had sunk due to the construction work for a parking lot near the stretch.

The corporation has, however, exempted people who are constructing additional storeys in their buildings. As per the MC, any person whose map for the construction of additional storey has been passed, can go ahead with the work. The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Single Umbrella Committee, which was chaired by Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Attri. The committee also passed the maps for parking lots in Tutikandi and near the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

The town has been witnessing minor incidents of landslide and felling of trees over the past few days due to rain, raising the concern among the residents. There are many buildings across the town, including two in the Kaithu ward, which are facing a threat from landslides. — TNS