Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, July 16
A probe has begun into laxities that led to the collapse of a multi-storey eatery on the Kumarhatti-Nahan road, with revenue papers of the building being verified by officials. The state government having failed to regulate construction in areas outside the purview of the Special Area Development Authority and Town and Country Planning (TCP), builders have had a field day.
Rahul Verma, XEN, HP State Electricity Board Limited, Parwanoo, said power connection in rural areas was issued on the patwari’s report, stating the area was not covered under TCP norms. This was followed by field inspection to determine the power load. The same procedure was followed by Irrigation and Public Health. The panchayat issued an affivadivt, stating the building owner had no water connection, SE Sanjeev Kaul explained.
With several educational institutions having sprung up in the area, PG houses have been raised by locals. There is no regulatory body to ensure these structures are safe.
Director Town and Country Planning C Palrasu said a collective approach involving various departments was the need of the hour.