Housing board residents in Solan grapple with civic woes

Residents of the Basal Housing Colony, developed by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA), have expressed deep frustration over the lack of basic civic amenities and neglect by the authorities.

Despite being conceived as a modern residential enclave with promised infrastructure, the colony is now plagued by multiple issues, including unmaintained green spaces, illegal constructions, water scarcity and frequent power outages.

Green areas, originally designated as open lungs of the township, have now turned into dumping grounds for construction debris, with minimal intervention from HIMUDA. “These spaces were meant for recreation and greenery, but they are now an eyesore,” said Vivek Sharma, a long-time resident actively raising these concerns.

Another major grievance is the lack of fencing, which has encouraged unauthorised encroachments and unapproved constructions. “Builders are openly selling floors, violating the residential layout norms, and HIMUDA remains a mute spectator,” Sharma added.

In a recent incident, residents allegedly constructed unauthorised speed breakers on internal roads. Though the construction was eventually halted following complaints, the speed breakers had already been built. “Now they are a nuisance for motorists, and HIMUDA lacks the staff or resources to remove them,” he said.

When contacted, HIMUDA Chief Engineer Surinder Vashisht said, “I will seek a report from the field staff and look into the matter to assess what action is needed.”

The colony, spread across 500 bighas, also suffers from inadequate parking—especially problematic due to its elevated terrain. Despite initial promises of community halls, health centres, and other public facilities, no such infrastructure has materialised even decades after its establishment.

HIMUDA’s attempts to transfer the colony’s maintenance to the Municipal Corporation of Solan have not borne fruit either. The civic body has reportedly rejected the proposal due to unmet conditions and incomplete development.

Adding to the residents’ woes are frequent power cuts, especially during storms, compounding their frustration with what was meant to be a well-planned residential zone.