Himachal High Court directs to ease traffic woes on Chandigarh-Shimla Highway
In a move aimed at tackling the traffic congestion plaguing the Parwanoo-Solan stretch of the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway-5, the Himachal High Court has issued firm directives to local authorities. The court has instructed the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Solan to collaborate closely with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to address the issue of illegal parking and encroachments along the highway.
The urgency of the matter was emphasized by a Division Bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sushil Kukreja. They granted the NHAI the authority to take action against encroachments without the need for formal demarcation, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Responding to the NHAI’s status report, which outlined persistent issues of unauthorized parking and encroachments, particularly in key areas like Dharampur and Anji, the court took a decisive stance. Street vendors encroaching on highway land within municipal limits were also addressed.
The court directed the Municipal Commissioner of Solan to swiftly remove all obstructions, including encroachments and idle parking. Furthermore, local authorities were instructed to ensure necessary measures were completed before the next hearing, with a comprehensive status report due.
Anand Kumar, NHAI’s Project Director, assured the court of concerted efforts to address traffic bottlenecks, particularly on specific stretches of the highway. He committed to facilitating smoother traffic flow before the next hearing.
The court also mandated that the NHAI adhere to construction timelines and provide a fresh progress report by the next hearing, scheduled for April 3rd. This proactive judicial intervention aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road safety along this vital highway corridor.
