Houses develop cracks, High Court issues notices to Centre, Himachal

The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has issued notices to the Central and state governments on a public interest litigation (PIL) that alleged that due to unscientific construction of the Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway line the houses of villagers in adjoining areas have developed cracks.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma issued notices to the government authorities, including the Railways, and private firms handling the contracts of this project. The court sought replies from them and listed the matter for further hearing on August 13.

The PIL alleged that the houses of the villagers developed cracks due to the tunneling work undertaken for the Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line. The construction work was being carried out in an unscientific manner and was causing damage to private properties.