Remove encroachments on Kalka-Shimla highway: Himachal HC

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to remove all encroachments on the National Highway from Kalka to Shimla, once the summer capital of the British India.

It directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday to submit a detailed report as to who has granted the sanction for raising the constructions on the both sides of the highway, particularly in and around Barog town.

Listing the matter for next hearing on December 28, a division bench of Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, which has taken a suo-moto cognisance of the encroachments, said the state government's affidavit dated December 5 was cryptic.

"At the first glance, we were of the view to draw action against the commissioner concerned but deem it proper to direct the government to file a fresh affidavit and submit details about the violations and encroachments made and action drawn," said the bench.

Noting that the respondents have not done the needful to check upcoming encroachments, the judges said the status, compliance reports and affidavits should be filed within two weeks.

The NHAI is directed to report about the encroachments and submit a detailed report as to who has granted the sanction for raising the construction(s) on the national highway, the judges said.