Illegal construction in Shimla: NGT tells TCP secretary to file affidavit

SHIMLA: Taking note of some illegal construction activities going on in the Shimla planning area despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposing restrictions on it, the green court has directed the secretary, town and country planning department, to file an affidavit within one month with regard to such constructions in the hill town.
The NGT direction came after an instance of construction activity going on right under the nose of the Shimla Municipal Corporation came to its notice.
Hearing the matter on May 28, NGT principal bench, headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the issue for consideration is the remedial action against illegal construction on the Mall Road in Shimla at a hotel between the nallah flowing between the said hotel and the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in violation of its order in the Yogendra Mohan vs State of HP, 2018 NGTR (1) PB 250 case.
The tribunal had received an application by post last year stating that unauthorized constructions are being carried out at the said location on Mall Road here and the muck is being dumped in a haphazard manner.
The tribunal said that through an order dated November 27 last year, a report was sought from the supervisory committee headed by the secretary, urban development. Accordingly, on April 22 this year, a report was filed by the director, town and country planning department, stating that stay has been granted in the matter by the additional district judge, Shimla, against the demolition of unauthorized constructions.
"It is patent that illegal construction has, in fact, taken place, as alleged, despite judgment of this tribunal, close to the office of the municipal corporation.
" It is not clear as to why no vigilance was kept against such illegal activities by the municipal corporation," the tribunal observed.
NGT also directed the director, town and country planning, Himachal Pradesh, and the commissioner, municipal corporation, Shimla to remain present in person on July 25 which is the next date of hearing in the case.