Shimla: Taking note of the deteriorating condition of the Dhalli-Narkanda road stretch in Shimla district, the Himachal Pradesh high court has summoned the engineer-in-chief of the public works department (PWD) and the chief engineer of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to present a concrete repair plan.The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi, directed the officials to appear in person and explain when the road would be restored, especially with the tourist season approaching. The court noted that tourism is a key revenue source for the hill state and questioned whether the govt intended to present a positive image to visitors.Expanding the scope of the ongoing public interest litigation, the bench observed that the condition of the Theog-Narkanda stretch is reportedly even worse than the Dhalli-Theog segment. The court noted that the highway from Shimla to Narkanda and further to Rampur serves as a lifeline for the apple-growing belt and connects remote areas such as Kinnaur and border regions, including Chitkul and Shipki La.“The road in question has become a dirt track due to potholes. The defence that the state has been unable to carry out repairs because of two heavy monsoons cannot be accepted,” the bench observed. It emphasised that maintaining basic infrastructure is a fundamental responsibility of the govt.The court also highlighted the broader consequences of the road’s poor condition, including damage to private and commercial vehicles, particularly those of the financially strained Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Highlighting environmental concerns, the court noted that dust from the damaged road is polluting the air and affecting residents living along the route.The state govt has been directed to file a status report by May 21 detailing proposals sent to the central govt for financial assistance. It observed that despite the Centre’s willingness to share the cost, progress appears to be stalled due to inaction on the part of state authorities. MSID:: 130515980 413 |
