SOLAN: Acting upon the directions of state High Court, the PWD-NH has started drive to remove hoardings along Kalka-Shimla national highway no 22. In the first phase, the hoardings on both sides of highway have removed from Parwanoo to Dharampur.
It may be mentioned here that highway has dotted with number of big hoardings put up by the various companies and hotels. The hoarding war was further fuelled after the arrival of private cellular service provider companies in state. The hoardings were set up in gross violation of law that stated that hoarding over 16 square feet of size could not be put up along highway.
Even to set up the hoarding of less than prescribed size, its location should not be a hindrance to traffic. However most of huge hoardings were set up without paying any attention to the rules. The hoardings were not only a problem for motorists but a major blockade for sight scenes at various places. At some places the hoardings were set up in pure hap-hazardous manner thus posing a grave danger to traffic.
The High Court after taking all these concerns to its consideration has ordered to make the highway free of hoardings. Confirming the development, Mr. Mohan Chauhan, DC Solan said that hoardings were proving major traffic hazard on highway. All hoardings along highway over 16 feet square feet of size would be removed, he maintained.
A PWD official supervising the drive told The Tribune that in past four days all hoardings from Parwanoo to Dharampur have been removed. After today’s break the drive would be resumed tomorrow, he added.
I too agree, the hoardings must be removed.