Explain reason for delay in completion of work on two roads, HP High Court tells NHAI

Vijay Arora

Shimla, November 23

The HP High Court has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to file an affidavit mentioning therein that within what period of time the construction of Kaithlighat to Dhalli and Tara Devi to Ghandal roads would be completed.

Parking woes at Totu and Dhanda

The court also directed the Municipal Corporation, Shimla, to carry out a survey about the construction of parking facility at Totu and Dhanda. This has been suggested so that parking of vehicles on both sides of the road could be avoided by the commuters. The civic body has been told to inform the court whether parking facility can be provided anywhere near the above said areas.

It further directed the NHAI to explain the reason for delay in completion of the construction of these two important roads.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Sabina passed this order last week on a Public Interest Litigation regarding frequent traffic congestion on Shimla roads.

The court further directed the PWD to conduct a survey and apprise the court about the feasibility of constructing bypass of one kilometre from Shimla to Dhanda to ease out the traffic congestion at Totu (Shimla).

It also directed the Municipal Corporation, Shimla, to carry out a survey about the construction of parking facility at Totu and Dhanda so as to avoid parking of vehicles on both sides of the road and inform the court, whether parking facility can be provided anywhere near the above said areas so as to discourage people from parking vehicles on both sides of the road.

In the meanwhile, the court has directed the Superintendent of Police, Shimla to explore the possibility of parking vehicles only on one side of the Totu- Ghanatti road so as to ensure free flow of traffic and avoid frequent traffic jam in the area.

During the course of hearing, the court was apprised about the parking of taxis near Cecil Hotel and RTO Office as well as on the road abutting Blossom Hotel, about 50 metres ahead of RTO Office. On this, the court directed the Superintendent of Police to either identify another parking space for taxies or allow parking in such a way so that the traffic jam can be avoided.

The court also directed the MC, Shimla to undertake a survey within four weeks to identify the encroachments in the city abutting the main road and also submit action plan indicating therein as to within what period of time, such encroachers can be removed to ensure free flow of traffic.

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