The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the state government to file a fresh affidavit stating how much encroachment had been actually removed on both sides of Shimla-Kalka national highway by the competent authority.
The directions were issued by a division bench of the HC comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan on a petition taken upsuo motuby the Court as Public Interest Litigation on the basis of a news item published in a vernacular newspaper, alleging illegal encroachment on road side.
The Principal Secretary (PWD) has already filed an affidavit in this matter but after going through the same it was observed by the court that it is not clear that whether any action has been taken on the issue or not.
The Court directed the Secretary (PWD) to file a fresh affidavit indicating what steps have been taken in terms of the affidavit already filed.
The Court sought an explanation on the present factual position and to indicate how many constructions have come up on the both sides of the road particularly in and around Barog in Solan district.
The Court also directed the Municipal Corporation, Shimla, to file an affidavit to explain the present status regarding steps taken to remove the encroachments and listed the case for December 7.
