Shimla: Welcoming the apex court’s decision to set aside the National Green Tribunal’s orders on the Shimla Planning Area and other two subsequent orders restraining implementation of the Shimla Development Plan, an official on Thursday said it was due to the concerted efforts of the state government that the case was effectively pleaded against the blanket ban on carrying out development activities and constructions in Shimla.
Principal Advisor, Media, to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan said the Shimla Development Plan was notified by the present government in March 2023 with a new blueprint for construction activities in Shimla Planning Areas wherein it was argued that the NGT has exceeded its jurisdiction and ambit.
The Supreme Court ordered the transfer of a pending case in the Himachal Pradesh High Court that challenged the NGT’s recent decision of quashing the controversial Shimla Development Plan, 2041 to be heard in the apex court.
“Today the judgment of the Supreme Court has given much-needed relief to the people of Shimla to carry out development activities which were in limbo for the past many years,” Chauhan said.
He credited the victory to the efforts of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, who hired experienced lawyers to argue the case. He also lauded the court’s decision which stated that the exercise of power for finalizing the development plan rests with the state and the NGT can’t issue direction and encroach upon the statutory functions of the state.
Meanwhile, former Urban Development and Town and Country Planning Minister Suresh Bhardwaj congratulated the people and hailed the Supreme Court for clearing the Shimla Development Plan.
The BJP leader said the Shimla Development Plan was prepared by the previous government.
“We had designed this plan for Shimla. I am glad that the Supreme Court has cleared it and now the plan will help Shimla town’s development in a better way.
“It will help in planned development, besides dealing with various issues,” he added.
The building guidelines of the whole of Shimla are divided mainly into core areas and non-core areas. The proposed building bylaws for the core area were suggested to be two floors, a habitable attic, and parking, whereas for the non-core area, three floors, a habitable attic, and parking were suggested.
It was also emphasized that more relaxations in terms of building height, number of floors, and land use would be given along the main roads, including national and state highways.
After seeing the progress of the GIS-based Development Plan for the Shimla Planning Area, the former minister suggested going ahead with the development plan and notifying it before January 25. After notification, the draft will be put forward for the public notification, he added.
Courtesy: ‘IANS’
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