HC notice to officials over traffic congestion

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, July 19

Taking serious note of the widening of roads and traffic congestion in Shimla, the High Court today directed the Secretary Transport, Principal Secretary (PWD), Chief Executive Officer, general manager of the HP Bus Stand Management and Development Authority, and Chief Executive Officer, HP Infrastructure Development Board, to be present before it on August 16.

The court also directed the managing director, HPTDC, Commissioner, Shimla MC, Divisional Forest Officer (Urban), Shimla, Conservator of Forests, Shimla, Superintending Engineer, HPSEB, and Senior Divisional Engineer, Northern Railways, Ambala, to be present on the next date of hearing.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan issued a show-cause notice to the Senior Divisional Engineer, Northern Railways, Ambala, asking why contempt proceedings not be initiated against him for non-compliance of the order of the court.

In its earlier order, the court had directed all respondents to file a status report, but the orders were defied.

The court directed all officials to file a status report within three weeks, listing the matter for further hearing on August 16.

The court had constituted an eight-member committee under the chairmanship of Chief Engineer, HPPWD, for suggestions and course of action for providing better transport facilities, developing the infrastructure in and around Shimla, improving the conditions of roads and solving the problem of traffic jam.