Complaints fall on deaf ears, illegal construction on the rise in government colony near Hamirpur

The Housing Board Colony near Hamirpur town is witnessing a spree of illegal construction while the authorities concerned has turned a blind eye towards the blatant violation of norms. The Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA), Town and Country Planning Department and the Municipal Corporation have maintained a lenient attitude towards such illegal construction that are encouraging others to follow suit. HIMUDA has unused land at all corners of its colony that has nearly 300 flats and houses on the road from the town leading to Galore village.

Encroachment allegedly started when a person constructed garage for parking vehicles and then a number of shops and garages came up. New houses were also being built on a nullah, blocking its water flow.

Local resident Rakesh Kumar said that no authority seemed concerned about the construction norms or encroachment on government land though several complaints had been made to the Municipal Corporation and the HIMUDA authorities.

The corporation had reportedly served a notice on a person for illegal construction but the work still continued uninterrupted. Minister for Town and Country Planning Rajesh Dharmai said that no encroachment would be allowed on the HIMUDA land and the guilty would be dealt with strictly. He added that he would direct the authorities concerned to identify such violations and initiate action.

Municipal Commissioner Rakesh Sharma said no construction in the violation of norms would be allowed. He added that he would ensure that the town and country planning norms were enforced in letter and in spirit.