In a significant development, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued directives to the municipal commissioner of Solan to promptly eliminate all encroachments obstructing the Parwanoo-Solan section of the national highway (NH).
The court’s decision came in response to the increasing menace of vehicles being indiscriminately parked along the NH service roads, impeding smooth vehicular movement, and street vendors encroaching upon NH land. A division bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sushil Kukreja underscored the urgency of the matter during a recent hearing. Highlighting concerns regarding bottlenecks affecting traffic flow, particularly between Kaithlighat to Salogra (Solan) and Kumarhatti market, the court emphasised the need for immediate action.
Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Anand Kumar, reassured the bench of the NHAI’s commitment to resolve the issue promptly. Kumar affirmed that concerted efforts would be made to ensure unimpeded traffic flow by addressing the identified bottlenecks before the next scheduled hearing on April 3. In compliance with the court’s earlier directive dated March 14, the NHAI submitted a fresh affidavit outlining its efforts to address the encroachment issue. The NHAI had formally requested the Deputy Commissioner of Solan to intervene and issue appropriate directives to eradicate encroachments and unauthorised parking along the NH.
The court further directed the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Solan to extend full cooperation to the NHAI in executing the removal of encroachments. Notably, the court affirmed the NHAI’s authority to clear encroachments without formal demarcation, underscoring that occupants must substantiate lawful possession. Moreover, the court mandated that the entire clearance operation should be completed expeditiously before the next hearing, wherein status reports from the concerned authorities will be filed. This proactive approach by the judiciary reflects a concerted effort to address traffic congestion issues and ensure the safety and efficiency of the NH network.
