Shimla : No construction on either side of any motorable road should be allowed in Himachal Pradesh without obtaining clearances from the concerned PWD office , the Himachal high court on Thursday directed the state’s PWD department.
The court also directed the department to keep in mind the possibility of development of a motorable road on either side while processing the request for construction on road sides. It said the final decision on the application will have to be made within 45 days .
The order was passed by chief justice Kurian Joseph and justice Sanjay Karol on the petition of senior advocate Tarlok Chauhan on tardy progress of works under JNNURM.
The court also directed the PWD to ensure that there is no construction on the actual width meant for the road in any place .
The actual width of the road will not only mean tarred surface but also the width meant for the road at the time of acquisition for the road . It was clarified that there shall be no relaxation for construction on this actual road width.
The court said despite the availability of two legislations , apparently due to lack of proper enforcement there is hardly any space for development of roads on either side .
So it is apporpriate that some safeguards are made in larger public interest to maintain , protect and improve roads .
The court also directed the principal secretary state PWD to make a preliminary proposal with regard to the Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel for widening the existing one. And for the construction of a fresh tunnel from JNNURM funds within three weeks .
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
